Botsaris, with about 300-350 men appeared on Mount Satovetza, opposite the sultan's camp, and attacked in December 1820. The fortress of Variades was captured, and Botsaris fortified himself in it. From there, he attacked a convoy at Kompsades, followed by taking the position of Pente Pigadia, defeating a force of thousands of Albanians. Negotiations began with the Turks and the Albanians and continued until March 1821, when Christoforos Perraivos arrived at Epirus and informed the Souliotes about the existence of Filiki Eteria and the upcoming war of independence.