When Vasco Porcalho learned of the rescue of Álvaro Gonçalves, and how the commanders had been defeated, he was deeply vexed. In great annoyance he said in a mocking tone to those who were present: ‘In truth, I consider it strange that none of you have ever asked me for your share of one-fifth from these raids that you make; 100 of you fight against 30, and always two dozen of you end up dead, and the others fleeing like sheep come back to this enclosure. With such honour as this, our good reputation will reach the king.’

That night he sent two spies to find out what Pero Rodrigues was doing, and what sort of troops had gone with him to the rescue of Álvaro Gonçalves, or whether he was still in Alandroal, for he was keen to hurry over there and accomplish some noteworthy deed, if he could. Certain men that Pero Rodrigues had sent out that night as spies seized an informer from the spies of Vasco Porcalho. The latter, learning that Álvaro Gonçalves was already in Estremoz and was due to leave that day for Borba, sent forty horsemen and thirty foot soldiers to go and wait on the road along which Álvaro Gonçalves was to travel, ordering that he should not escape them, whatever it took, but be taken dead or alive. Álvaro Gonçalves knew nothing of this.

Pero Rodrigues got news of this, and more, through a man from Vila Viçosa who came to tell him. As soon as he was assured about it all, he sent for those from the town [of Alandroal] and asked them what they thought he should do in such a situation. They said that he should do what he thought suited his honour, and that they were ready to help. He said: ‘It seems to me that it is not right for us to allow a man to be lost, who cost us so much effort to set free. If we do not go to his aid, he may be captured or killed, a thing that I would not want to happen by any means.’