February 1379. The cobblestone streets of the castle of Ioannina are deserted and a storm is brewing. A different kind of storm is also the topic of discussion among the noblemen of Ioannina at the house of protovestiarios (senior-most financial official) Michael Apsaras. The Albanians have increased their raiding activities. Soon their worst fears become reality. Albanians of the family of Malakasas attack and are already scaling the walls. Protostrator (senior military commander) Nikolaos decides to counterattack from the lake using small boats. He arms his men with swords, javelins, bows, and small portable flamethrowers. Despite the Albanians’ noble defence, the flaming arrows prove lethal and their logboats catch fire or sink. The disaster forces those already atop the walls to surrender. The Serbian despot of Ioannina sold them as slaves in Arta. The “naval battle” saved the town.