During the siege of Shayzar by Ioannes II, Ibn Kardus the ascetic was taken prisoner, and was carried off to Constantinople. After a while, he was asked by an unknown man whether he was Ibn Kardus, and when he answered in the affirmative, he was asked to point out his master. His unknown benefactor then haggled with his master till they agreed a price and his master agreed to sell him. He was then set free, with the gift of expenses to reach home