The hearts of the captives bounded for joy when they heard these strains, for they knew that their king was near and would soon effect their release.
[Sidenote: War with Imelot.] A few days later, when the young ambassadors had fully recovered their health and strength, Constantine was dismayed to learn that Imelot, King of Desert Babylonia, was about to make war against him, and wondered how he could successfully encounter such a universally dreaded opponent.

Rother, seeing his perplexity, immediately volunteered his services, adding that if Constantine liberated the ambassadors, who were mighty men of valor, and allowed them to fight, there would be no doubt of his coming off conqueror in the war.

The Eastern emperor gladly followed this advice, and soon set out with Rother and all his companions.
The two armies met one evening and encamped opposite each other, intending to begin the fight at sunrise on the morrow.

During the night, however, Rother and his companions stole into the enemy's camp, slew Imelot's guards, and having bound and gagged him, Asprian carried him bodily out of his tent and camp, while his companions routed all the mighty Babylonian host.
A few hours later they returned to the camp of Constantine, where they lay down to rest.

The emperor, entering their tent on the morrow to chide them for their laziness, saw the captive Imelot, and heard the story of the night's work.