When a Cuman raid reached Dristra, its metropolitan Leon was captured and carried off like a lamb to the slaughter. But with God's aid he was saved, a solution for which Tzetzes gave great thanks, in emotional terms. He sent the best wishes of all his people to Leon, singling out his servant Demetrios Gobinos, and included all of Leon's people as recipients of his wishes. He had been suffering from a fever for a fortnight (since early July), and suggested that there were several feverish elements in his letter. He insisted that Leon, despite his status as archbishop, curse the Cumans - or if he was unwilling, Tzetzes would do so for him