A contingent of Greek engineers arrived last week with plans for engines, which will make an assault possible. Their work has taken great strides and several of the great machines are already completed. Bitumen has been gathered in order to use fire in our approach.

The old tactic of using horse archers against the men on the walls is growing stale but will continue in use to keep the enemy’s head down. By now, they are afraid to heavily garrison the walls.

The burning of the bridges has allowed me to reduce troops in some sectors in order to finally close the south approaches to the city.

I feel somewhat optimistic now that an assault may be possible even though the other forces have yet to arrive. I am sure that if the king feels the city in real danger he would be more than willing to accede to my terms. Certainly, he would not choose to loose his kingdom when he need only treat with me for a part of it.