In charge of the defense of the Tărnovo, Ivan Asen I incited the Byzantine emperor to a hasty retreat by spreading rumors about the arrival of a great Cuman army to the relief of the besieged city.
Ivan Asen I, in command of the defense of Tărnovo, urged the Byzantine emperor to withdraw quickly by fabricating tales of a large Cuman army on its way to rescue the besieged city.