Sections II-V

King Marsile convenes his court at Saragossa and presents the existential threat posed by Charlemagne's invasion, asking his nobles for counsel on how to resist or avoid destruction.

All the pagan lords are unable to answer until Blancandrin of Val Funde, renowned for his wisdom and valor, prepares to speak.

The narrator establishes Blancandrin's credentials as a wise pagan, skilled knight, and trusted advisor to his lord.

Blancandrin advises Marsile to yield to Charlemagne with demonstrations of friendship and loyalty while offering lavish gifts and tributes to persuade him to leave Spain.

Blancandrin specifies the gifts to be offered: exotic animals, hawks, gold and silver, and wagons loaded with wealth sufficient to pay Charlemagne's troops.

Blancandrin argues that Charlemagne will tire of war in Spain and return to Aix, especially if given hostages and the pageantry of conversion to Christian faith to maintain honor.

Blancandrin recommends sending hostages or the first-born sons of their wives to seal the oath, accepting that these may be killed as a price worth paying.

Blancandrin argues that sacrificing hostages is preferable to losing honor, dignity, and their lands to foreign conquest.

Blancandrin takes a solemn oath that the Frankish forces will retreat to France once their pay is secured.

Blancandrin predicts that once they depart, Charlemagne will settle in Aix for the festival of Saint Michael and forget about the pagans.

Blancandrin realistically admits that the proud and cruel Charles will likely behead the hostages, but argues this is still preferable to losing Spain.

Blancandrin reinforces his argument by concluding that sacrificing the hostages is a lesser evil than losing Spain and enduring grief and pain.

The assembled pagans unanimously accept Blancandrin's strategy, affirming it is a sound plan.

King Marsile appoints Blancandrin and nine other experienced and cunning nobles as ambassadors to carry out the scheme of deception before Charlemagne.

Marsile instructs the delegation to approach Charlemagne under siege at Cordres, bearing olive branches as tokens of peace, and promises them rewards if they succeed.

The pagan ambassadors declare they already have sufficient wealth and accept the dangerous assignment to deceive Charlemagne.