It was the ring he had got from his father, a thick gold thing in which had been cut his cognisance of three lions' heads.
This done, he sought an audience with the Ilkhan, and told him of his purpose.

Houlagou did not speak for a little, and into his set face seemed to creep an ill-boding shadow of a smile.

"Who am I," he said at length, "to hinder your going to my brother Kublai?
I will give you an escort to my eastern borders." Aimery bent his knee and thanked him, but from the courtiers rose a hubbub of mirth which chilled his gratitude.

He was aware that he sailed on very desperate waters.
Among the Tartars was a recreant Genoese who taught them metal work and had once lived at the court of Cambaluc.

The man had glimmerings of honesty, and tried hard to dissuade Aimery from the journey.