Amidst the chaos and slaughter in Hama, only one man remained calm and composed: Mahmud, the nephew of Yajisiyan.
When the Crusaders entered the city, Mahmud led a small contingent of elite soldiers and retreated into a small fortress on the easternmost edge of Hama City. The fortress was built atop a mountain, its treacherous terrain making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
The Crusaders had attacked six times, only to be driven back with considerable losses on each occasion.
Perhaps Stephen saw this as a suitable opportunity to both ensure his own safety and display his Charm. He thus resolutely led the Blois Knights in a rare, personal charge against the Mountain Castle.
This was Stephen's first heroic charge of the entire expedition.
