As a sign of his good intentions, Francis told Charles that Ghent had offered to defect to him. Seeing that the French king was cooperative, Charles decided it was time to suppress the revolt personally. He requested passage through French territory, which was granted. Charles did not want to sail to Flanders because he feared the English would try to capture him in the Channel. Charles set off from Spain with an entourage of about a hundred people. Charles moved through France during the winter of 1539. On 12 December at Loches he met with Francis, who escorted him to Paris. Moving on, Charles reached Valenciennes in January, where he met with his sister Mary as well as a delegation from Ghent. Charles warned them that he would make an example of Ghent.