Harold Lamb

“ And Michael wanted very much to see where Clavijo was being taken—where the Spaniard did not want to go.
A second stairway took them to a gondola, a torch at its bow. Michael recognized the Contarini crest on the gondola hood as he scrambled inside, followed by his companion, breathing heavily.
The two masked attendants took their stand fore and aft by the rowers. In the darkness of the small cabin Michael sat down on what he first thought to be a cushion and then made out to be the form of a man. ”

“ Venetian galleys were engaged in trade with Persia and Arabia, at Ormuz. Continued tidings of the vast resources of silk, spices and gems in China and India came in. The door of the farther East had been half-opened. Venice was agog with rumors of the riches of the Indies and the Pope had more than once sent emissaries to find the land of Prester John.
“Consider, my lord—” Clavijo bowed to Contarini—“the marvel that I have seen. It is no less than a city of brazen walls, in the desert where a hundred caravan routes meet. ”

“ He paused and Bembo saw again that Michael grimaced strangely.
“The council has planned an expedition into the terra incognita,” went on Contarini. “A jealous merchant will be sent with proper escort. By fair means or foul—mark me—he must win us wealth from the Cham. Our galleys will bear the voyagers safely through the Turkish pirates. You will be the leader of the expedition.”
Clavijo was a graven figure of amazement. “I?”
“Verily. Venice will honor fittingly the discoverer of the new trade-route—when you return. But return successful, for we have no clemency for one who fails.” ”

“ My lady, it came to his ears in the city of the Grand Cham that all who entered the valley never got any older. There is no time in this city of Cathay, and people do as they please. It is a most pleasant spot. Many marvels Clavijo heard there—of the cameleopard and the taurelephus that gives most rare milk. But concerning this Clavijo can not know the truth. ”

“ Your long suffering in the Orient must have given you a rare stomach for such fare. See, I join you.”
The Spaniard wiped his beard with the back of his hand and with the other covertly fastened upon some brandied figs. He seemed to have an unlimited appetite.
“Verily, I see that you are a man of parts,” said Michael again. “Let me call to your notice this excellent Chian wine. A toast, Messer Clavijo—a toast.”
“Ah.” The Spaniard nodded approvingly and poured out two cups of the fine wine. Michael, who had had enough of the food, lifted his politely.
“To Cathay,” he announced, bowing. ”

“ This morning I had speech with a French mariner of the name of Bearn who warned me that the Turkish power threatens the safety of the great city of Constantinople and Venice. That is idle talk and the council is concerned only with trade, not politics. Yet this foe of the Turks confessed that somewhere beyond the Sarai Sea is a Khan of Tatary who must be a potent monarch. ”

“ The perfumes of the palace are finer than the dried roses of Persia.”
The women who had been listening sleepily until now looked up with interest.
“Living unto themselves as they do, the Cathayans have no knowledge of the value of gold in the other world. It comes, Clavijo heard, from the mines of Ectag, sometimes called the Golden Mountains. Here there be slaves who labor in the mines, and but for the grace of God Clavijo would be such a slave.” ”