Louis VII [whom Choniates wrongly implied to be Conrad III] came to a halt at the Maiander, which was in flood and defended by Turkish forces on the further bank. The enemy also occupied the tops of surrounding mountains, and prepared to harry his men on the plain before he crossed. According to Choniates, he prepared his knights the day before, then rose early and delivered an inspirational speech along traditional crusader lines. In Odo of Deuil, the battle was started by the Turks, who sent forces to drive the French into the river at a point where it would be hard to fight their way out. Three counts, Henry of Meaux, Thierry of Flanders and William of Macon took the lead like whirlwinds, and the other knights also were able to cross the river. Louis himself scattered the Turks to his rear. As the enemy had not adopted good defensive positions he succeeded in inflicting a mighty victory with terrible casualties. An amir was captured and executed. Milo of Nogent, who was drowned, was the only significant French casualty. Manuel I showed himself an open enemy of the crusaders by allowing the defeated Turks refuge in his little nearby city of Antioch on the Maiander. [Though Odo of Deuil describes a slightly different battle, this is the only possible event to which Choniates may have referred.]