After successfully organizing the murder of the Catalan commander Roger de Flor in an elaborate plot, Michael IX led the Byzantine troops (augmented by Turks and 5--8,000 Alans) against the furious Catalans (who swore revenge for the assassination of their commander), but was decisively defeated at the Battle of Apros. _He_was also heavily injured during that battle; a Catalan soldier named Bernad Ferrer seized him, whipped him and slashed his face. <sep>, Pronoun: He <sep>, A: Roger de Flor <sep>, B: Michael IX