The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

slain.

65. (And) that murderer himself (Musa) took refuge with the most pious (Stefan); the renowned (Despot) did not wish that they should destroy one another and work mischief, (and therefore) he concluded friendship and a covenant (with Musa) and again let him (go). Musa, choosing the customary paths (and roads) and hearing that Süleyman was advancing behind him, going toward the northern regions, hid (himself), and sent a certain commander, who had also been such in Philippopolis; (this commander), passing the mountains of Slavija, (came) all the way to (Philippopolis); finding (the city) unfortified, he entered the tower by night by cunning and found his lord, a kinsman of the sultan, and finding the tribute that had been collected (there), he took it and returned to Musa. Musa (again) drew near (to Süleyman). Hearing (this), Süleyman turned back and, coming to Philippopolis, ordered that within two days the city should collect the tribute from the whole land, saying: "I shall see how many heads of the townsmen will fall before the tribute is collected." And all were in great distress. He bound chosen Ishmaelites, wishing to slay them. However, he was in the bath and (began) to drink wine. (Thanks to this), they obtained by entreaty (from the sultan that he grant them their lives). This one (Süleyman) (again) went against Musa into the regions of Adrianople. (And) Musa (set out) toward Philippopolis; (the townspeople) shut the city in order to preserve it. The most eminent went up into the tower. The sultan himself addressed the most holy Metropolitan kyr Damjan (saying): "Give me the city!" And he answered: "Those who have shut the city and who hold power are in the tower." And he commanded that the city be plundered. And they slaughtered that most venerable man in the church and cast him from the city walls. Süleyman came, hearing (of this). (Musa), fleeing, found a place named Stenimachos,¹¹⁰ which in our tongue means a narrow pass; (it is) a very strong (place), which from ancient times had a fortress, and round about it many beautiful churches. Certain brethren also lived there. (The place) had been given and registered to the holy city of Jerusalem in the time of the pious emperors. In it he left a garrison, and he himself withdrew toward the lower regions. Süleyman pursued (Musa) for a while. Coming to Adrianople, (Sultan Süleyman) gave himself over to wine /i.e., to drink/, saying: "(He) goes about in the manner of a brigand, and I will not (wage war) in the manner of a brigand." Musa, finding a fitting time, (kept watch), circling round about him. The chiefs who decide all things, seeing that none of the soldiers could go out because of the brigands, openly revolted - each governor within (the bounds of) his own authority - telling him that the soldiers and foot soldiers must go out of the city and gather outside, (beyond the walls), because of the brigands who were roaming round about. Taking the army thus, they went out, without concealment, and went by the river named Tuža and came to Musa. To (Sultan) Süleyman, who was (drinking), (messengers) came to inform him of what had happened. And he, rising with those who were beside him by night, fled toward Constantinople. When the (city) lamps were lit, the townsmen, seeing (this), cried out to one another: "The lord is fleeing!" When this report spread through the whole land, (men) began to come out of the forests of that land and to kill the few (supporters) who remained with him, until they caught him too, strangled him and brought him to Adrianople. Hither came Musa himself.

66. After this (Musa) ruled over the whole realm. Learning of this, the renowned by name