XXV. Now Abeniaf had no hope of succour save only from the King of
Zaragoza, who had sent to bid him hold out; and he sent to him every
night to tell him of the great misery which there was in Valencia, and
the King of Zaragoza returned for answer that King Don Alfonso had sent
him a great body of horsemen with Garcia Ordonez, and would come
himself after them; and he sent in this letter another letter written
with his own hand, and which was to be shown to the good men of the
town, privily; and he said therein, with great oaths to confirm it,
that he would without fail come and deliver them, for it was a great
grief to him to think what they endured, and that this was as great
sorrow to him, as theirs could be. And certain of the King's favourites
wrote to Abeniaf also after the same manner, telling him that he would
surely come; howbeit one of his favourites who had compassion upon the
men of Valencia sent a covert message to warn them, saying, That the
King of Zaragoza would build a tower in Alcudia de Tudela; the meaning
of this was, that all the King said, was only to put them off. Abeniaf
did not understand it, and sent to ask him what it was that he had
said; but the other made him no reply. Then the King of Zaragoza sent
two messengers to the Cid with jewels and rich presents, and besought
him that he would not distress the men of Valencia so greatly, and also
that he would let his messengers enter the town that they might speak
with Abeniaf. This the Cid would not permit; howbeit they found means
to send in a letter, saying, Wit ye that I send to entreat the Cid that
he will not do so great evil unto you, and I give him jewels and rich
presents that he may do my will in this, and I believe that he will do
it. But if he should not, I will gather together a great host, and
drive him out of the land. Howbeit these were but dissembling words,
for the King of Zaragoza and the Cid were friends and were of one
accord, that the Cid should take Valencia and give it the King, who
should give him great treasures in return.