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mere silk. The first waved at them to proceed as the other called for the gate to be opened. Marco bowed and Giuseppe mimicked him, following his master through the opening gates and into the ether beyond, tomorrow’s market empty, the sparse houses at this end of the city mostly dark for the night.
    Giuseppe didn’t relax until he heard the gates close behind them and didn’t dare look back until he saw his master do so. Marco smiled at him, clearly aware of how nervous his slave was. He slowed so Giuseppe could catch up, then they walked side-by-side through the lonely street.
    “That wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. They all appear on edge, as if they’re expecting something. If I had to guess, they’re expecting the Khan to send infiltrators before an attack. It’s good we went through the East Gates. North or south along the main roads would have been nearly impossible.”
    Giuseppe merely nodded, his mind wandering to what might happen to them should they be captured as spies for the Khan. It would be one thing to be captured now, before they had caused any mischief, but if they succeeded in stealing the crystal idol, they would be tortured and executed for certain.
    He shuddered.
    “Are you cold, my brother?”
    Giuseppe nodded, not wanting his master to know how terrified he felt at this very moment. He could hide his fear well, it never good to show others when you were weak, but his master knew him so well, he could tell from the expression that Marco was being polite, not wanting to point out the man’s true reasons for shivering.
    But it was cold.
    “Where is the church, Master?”
    Marco motioned with his chin ahead. “Just up on the left. There’s a path between the buildings that leads to a field where the church lies. There’s nothing near it, so we’ll be exposed as we approach. Hopefully the dark and the late hour will mean no one will notice.” He glanced behind them. “No one appears to be following us, but I can’t be sure.” He looked again. “I feel like we’re being watched. Can you sense it?”
    Giuseppe hadn’t sensed anything seconds ago, but now that his master’s words had sunk in, he felt every hair on his body tingle and his heart began to pump faster. He too began to glance over his shoulder, but he too could see nothing but darkened houses and an equally dark street.
    The moon suddenly sliced through an opening in the clouds overhead, bathing the entire area in a dull blue light and Giuseppe caught his breath, a shadow in the dark suddenly revealed then lost quickly as it darted between two houses.
    “Did you see that?” he hissed, but instead of replying, he felt Marco’s hand around his arm, urging him forward, Giuseppe almost coming to a stop.
    “Keep moving, we mustn’t let him know we’ve spotted him.”
    They continued forward, their pace leisurely, that of weary travelers, and Giuseppe tried to relax his constantly tensing muscles, the urge to look back almost irresistible.
    Marco turned to the left, a path between two houses barely visible. Giuseppe led their horse into it, but not before his eyes darted down the road as he made the turn, and now that he knew they were being followed, he saw their pursuer plainly, his features indistinguishable, but his movement obvious against the dimly lit stone.
    Their pursuer disappeared upon Giuseppe’s entry into the gap between the two houses. He looked ahead and could see the walled compound containing the only Christian enclave of the city. It too appeared asleep, the expected glow of a torch or fire somewhere inside not to be seen. The entire situation had Giuseppe wondering if the priest’s offer to help them secure the idol had been discovered, and if he had been put to death along with the few Christians the church served.
    “Keep walking toward the church. I’ll remain behind to deal with our uninvited guest.”
    Giuseppe was about to open his mouth in protest but was silenced with a glance from Marco, it