When the Crusaders had passed Serdica (Sofia) there were increasing complaints of bad behaviour. These king Conrad disregarded or ascribed to the folly of the mob. When they reached Philppopolis after a largely uneventful march, they were welcomed by Michael Italikos, who held Conrad speechless by his eloquence, and avoided problems, till a small grievance led to an armed clash and made Conrad very angry. This event may be one narrated by Odo of Deuil. A local juggler went into an inn outside Philippopolis where Germans were sitting, and after drinking for a time took out a charmed snake from his pocket, put it on a goblet and began to perform tricks; the Germans complained that he was trying to poison them and tore him to pieces. This murder caused a riot, so Michael came with men to calm it; but the drunken Germans saw their arrival as an attack, and drove them off violently; they were then driven back with heavy losses by the bows of local troops; the Germans finally burned everything outside the city walls. However Michael's tongue is said to have calmed the situation. Conrad III learned that his army was not invincible