When Nuno Álvares left Lisbon, since the plan to kill Count Juan Fernández had not yet been brought about, as we have duly explained, and when he had talked about it with the Master, he headed off to join his brother Pedro Álvares, catching up with him in a place called Ponteval, which lies some 12 leagues away from the city. While they were there together, Gonçalo Tenreiro arrived bearing a message from the queen to the prior, urging him to continue in her service and indicating that she would reward him with many favours and that she would obtain a pledge from her son[-in-law] the King of Castile that he would do the same. Nuno Álvares and many of the others who were with the prior were far from happy at this, especially Nuno Álvares, who was greatly displeased, so much so that he could not resist speaking to the prior, saying that it was inadvisable to lay himself open to such an approach. The prior did not care for his argument but said nothing and left, making his way to Santarém.

While the prior and his retinue were there, Nuno Álvares took up lodging in Santa Maria de Palhais. One evening, after dinner, he went out and made his way down to the riverside to relax, in a spot close to the Church of Santa Iria. Passing a sword-smith's door, he noticed that he was holding a fine well-tempered sword. Taking hold of it, he asked the sword-smith whether he would temper one of his swords in the same way for him. The sword-smith answered that he would indeed do so and that it would even be a far better sword. Nuno Álvares sent for his sword at once and gave orders that it be given to the sword-smith to temper.

Next day Nuno Álvares went back there in the evening and found that the sword had been tempered just as he wanted it. He was delighted with it when he took hold of it and commanded one of his men to pay the sword-smith well for his trouble. The latter answered him, ‘My lord, I want no payment from you at this time but wish you every good fortune.