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Kypros Zigabenos was a Videssian general. When the Empire fell into civil war as two would-be Avtokrators claimed the throne, Zigabenos was actually relieved when Halogai troops under Ulror Raska's son attacked the island of Kalavria, as it gave him a legitimate reason not to serve either a "fool" or a "butcher", as Zigabenos saw them.
While the island fell, Zigabenos actually succeeded in stopping Ulror at the fortress Sotevag. Rather than fight, Ulror retreated within the fort. A long siege began, one which both Ulror and Zigabenos were convinced would see the fortress fall.
Zigabenos did not want a long siege. He made several attempts to draw Ulror out, including offers of safety to the Halogai if they surrendered Ulror, and even offering Ulror a mansion in Videssos the City. None of these plans worked. Indeed, Ulror promised that "The only way you’ll get me out of Sotevag is stinking in my coffin!" Zigabenos ordered the building of siege engines in response.
After an initial attack was beaten back, Zigabenos was notified by the priest Bonosos that someone in Sotevag had attempted to use necromancy. Although Zigabenos was initially skeptical, he remembered Ulror's vow, and concluded that Ulror had tried to avoid it through magic.
Some days later, a truce was called by the Halogai. They claimed Ulror had died of fever some days before, and presented his "body" in its coffin. Under his original offer, Zigabenos agreed to let the men free. Later, he learned that Ulror had faked his death by lying with the corpses of sea-gulls. Zigabenos was faced the prospect of being sieged now by the Halogai.
While Zigabenos made every effort to capture or kill Ulror, Zigabenos respected Ulror the man.