 When the Nicaean force reached the village of Selymbria , some 30 miles ( 48 km ) west of Constantinople , however , they learned from some independent local farmers ( thelematarioi ) that the entire Latin garrison , and the Venetian fleet , were absent conducting a raid against the Nicaean island of Daphnousia . Strategopoulos was initially hesitant to take advantage of the situation , since his small force might be destroyed if the Latin army returned too soon , and because he would exceed the emperor 's orders , but eventually decided not to lose such a golden opportunity to retake the city . 
