"I said, back off, or I'll consider your current actions a provocation against the Empire! Norman Dogs!" Tatikios did not intend to yield.
(Tatikios, a man of Turkic origin, was a close friend and capable assistant to Alexios. He had repeatedly led armies against the Seljuk Turks and the Normans. During the First Crusade, he served as the Crusader Liaison Officer, accompanying the Crusader leaders to Antioch and helping them coordinate with the Byzantine army.
During the Siege of Antioch, Tatikios was ultimately forced to leave due to conflicts with the Crusader leaders and doubts about Byzantine aid.)
"Provocation? A Turk... no, I should say, a Turk in a Greek's skin. Don't think wearing a robe stitched with gold thread can hide your cowardice. You people of this Empire are only good at hiding behind city walls and living by your wits. What would you know of true Courage and battle?"
