They all praised his advice, but most of the council were afraid he would cross over to the enemy camp, as many others had done.
Tirant got things ready, and with many men he went directly to King Escariano. When he was in the king's presence, he explained his mission:
"The King of Tremicen has sent me here because on several occasions he has heard people speak very highly of you, and he is certain that you are one of the wisest kings in the world. For that reason he is very astonished, and he wonders what has moved you to take up arms against him."
The king immediately replied:
"I want your lord to know that I have attacked him for a just reason. For no one, not your lord or anyone else, is unaware that long ago a marriage pact was drawn up between his daughter and me, signed and with the marriage date agreed upon. And now your king has treated the matter lightly, and tried to shame me. I have told you this so you will know that this maiden, whom I love and adore, is the cause for this war. And it will end with her and for no other reason. This is my reply to you."
And he turned his back, wanting to hear no more from Tirant. So
Tirant left and went back to his lord, the King of Tremicen, and
told him of their entire conversation. Then the king asked
Tirant if the enemy had many men.
"In faith," said Tirant, "there are many, and more come to their aid every day. I wasn't able to see them all, but I would say more than eighty thousand."
They held council, and decided that Tirant and the commander
would take ten thousand soldiers to another city called Asinac.
Because if that city fell, the entire kingdom would be lost. So
Tirant went there and fortified that city well.
The king stayed on in the city of Tremicen which was well supplied with everything he needed. And in this way they waited for the enemy to come.
It happened one day that a Jew who lived in the city of Tremicen, and was the wealthiest man in the city, left secretly and went to King Escariano. Very cunningly he told him: