On Whitsunday, May the 30th, Ibelin set sail with his forces from Akkon, accompanied by the Genoese consul, with whom the approaching struggle now had the aspect of a political victory. Pedalion Acra, a promontory between Larnaka and Famagusta, had been pointed out as the most suitable spot for landing the soldiers, and thither all the troop-ships went. No sooner had the fleet reached the spot indicated, than intelligence was received that the marshal had made Famagusta his head-quarters. The ships at once proceeded in the direction of that fortress, where, owing to the knowledge of the shore displayed by their commanders, they were enabled, after a slight skirmish with the imperial troops, to take possession of a small island in close vicinity to the town. Felingher was prepared to make a brave and powerful defence, but unluckily for him his soldiers had treated the surrounding inhabitants with so much roughness and cruelty that treachery was rife in all quarters. In the stillness of the night a few boats left the fleet, and landed their men close to the fortress; these at once rushed upon the town with such noise and force that the defenders were struck with sudden panic. The marshal, believing that the whole force of the enemy was on the spot, and that the citizens were in revolt, at once set fire to his ships, and withdrew with all his men to Nikosia. Ibelin remained a week in Famagusta; this time he spent in fortifying the citadel more securely, and in drawing up the deed of privileges to the Genoese, the promise of which had procured him so great an accession of friends. The marshal now retired to the mountains behind Nikosia, and Queen Alice and her ladies sought refuge in Keryneia, the imperial troops being so stationed as to command that fortress. Felingher now rapidly pressed on the siege of St. Hilarion, and was in daily hopes that hunger must compel her defenders to surrender; all cornfields, mills, and every available means of sustenance having been destroyed throughout the surrounding plains by the marshal’s orders. Ibelin’s army, which was now slowly marching onwards towards Nikosia, received fresh reinforcements at every stage, not only from the outraged Cypriotes, who were anxious to avenge their wrongs, but from large numbers of the higher classes, who had taken refuge in the huts. Nearly all these soldiers were on foot, whilst the imperial army, we are told, had fully two thousand horse. On his arrival near Nikosia, Ibelin at once encamped about half a league from the city, and early next morning, June 15th, 1232, advanced rapidly with all his troops to encounter the imperial forces, some of which were gathered around the fortress they were investing, whilst some were stationed upon the high and almost inaccessible rocks that commanded the road to Keryneia.