Baldwin II and Joscelin of Edessa (and friends) in their prison at Kharpurt made plans to escape: their first step was to establish good relations with the local Armenians, so that any help they got from outside would be maximised in its effect. Then a group of fifty Armenians from Edessa entered the fortress of Kharpurt in disguise. Different sources claim that they were dressed as monks or as poor traders. One of them assassinated the commander of the guard as he was playing chess, causing a fracas in which all hundred Turkish troops in Kharpurt were killed. They then freed Baldwin II and a nephew of his, as well as Joscelin and other prisoners. Balak saw a dream of Joscelin blinding him - a sign of the danger he posed. He therefore surrounded the castle with troops, but Joscelin was to get away. Balak's wife and other family members were caught inside. The escapees chose different roles: Baldwin was to organise the defence of Kharpurt against Balak, while Joscelin and three companions escaped to get help