Once the nobles confirmed the treaty with Landulf, the messenger of Manuel I, the men had enough food, though it was expensive. But there was no fodder for the surviving horses, which were exhausted and starving, and so Louis decided to leave. They learned that the route on from Attaleia was much easier by sea than by land. The sea voyage, unless there were storms, would take three days, while land travel faced delays from the terrain and lack of food. All wondered if the Byzantines could gather sufficient ships at a good price. As it seemed unlikely there would be enough for the whole army, they wondered how to divide it. Louis wanted to take the knights by land, leaving the ships for the infantry; but many of the knights' horses were dead or dying, and they would only agree if they could find others. When it proved impossible to find enough of adequate strength, the barons forced Louis to promise to take them by sea. Landulf and the governor ot Attaleia promised more ships, but the weather was poor for five weeks. The price of food rose still higher. Louis cowed the Turks by defeating them using the remaining horses. A few very expensive ships appeared, and were divided among the bishops and barons; they wondered how long to wait for ships for the others, as life in Attaleia was now very expensive, and the city was too strong to take by force or treachery. Louis was then approached by those without ships, who no longer believed more would come. They asked to set out now overland, trusting in military force against the Turks rather than being bled white by treacherous Byzantines. He accepted their plan, tried to make arrangements for their safety, and left by ship