Music offered him more than just a honing of his craft; it was a source of deep inner comfort and tranquility, as if the parts of his soul lost in the desert had finally found a sanctuary in its notes.
He soon took an honorable retirement from the army, and the Byzantine Governor greatly appreciated his years of loyalty and valor. Although his term of service had not been particularly long, the Governor granted him a generous reward—a small village nestled in the beautiful mountains of Cilicia.
Not only was the village scenic, but it also came with a tract of fertile land and dozens of tenant farmers—more than enough for him to live out the rest of his days in peace.
Cilicia was a region where many ethnic groups lived together; Armenians, Greeks, Byzantine soldiers, and local peasants all mingled. The climate was warm, suitable for growing grapes and olives, and the village was tranquil and comfortable, providing him with the perfect refuge from the desert.
