Kublai they name him, and he is in some sort the lord of Houlagou.

I have never met the man who has seen him, for he dwells as far beyond the Ilkhan as the Ilkhan is far from the Pillars of Hercules.

But rumour has it that he is a clement and beneficent prince, terrible in battle, but a lover of peace and all good men.

They tell wonders about his land of Cathay, where strips of parchment stamped with the King's name take the place of gold among the merchants, so strong is that King's honour.

But the journey to Cambaluc, the city of Kublai, would fill a man's lifetime." One April morning they heard mass after the odd Syrian fashion, and turned their faces eastward.