The two runners behind came up quickly, shaking their heads. They had not been followed. Chen Yi did not pause to rest, whispering orders to them to stay out of sight as he approached the closest gate. The man's gaze fell on Temuge as he stood there with his hands resting on his knees, and he came close to speak into his ear.

"There will be guards. They will wake their master and I will speak to him. Make no threats in my city, Mongol. The owner will be nervous to have strangers so late in his house and I do not want weapons to be drawn."

Chen Yi turned away, smoothing down his black robe with his hands as he neared the gate. Two of his men accompanied him and the rest of the group faded to one side where they could not be seen. Khasar took Temuge by the sleeve and dragged him with them before he could protest.

Chen Yi himself thumped on the gate and Temuge saw yellow light fall on his face as a hinged square opened in the wood.

"Tell your master he has a visitor on Imperial business," Chen Yi said, his voice firm. "Rouse him, if he sleeps."

Temuge could not hear the reply, but after an age, the square opened again and Chen Yi looked into another face.

"I do not know you," the man said clearly.

Chen Yi stood very still. "The Blue Tong knows you, Lian. Tonight, your debts will be paid."

The gate opened quickly, but Chen Yi did not step across the threshold.

"If you have crossbows waiting, Lian, it will be your last night. I have men with me, but the streets are dangerous. Do not be alarmed and all will be well."

The unseen man murmured a reply, his voice shaking. Only then did Chen Yi turn his gaze on the others and gesture them to follow him in.

Temuge saw fear in the man who had been summoned from his bed. Lian was almost as wide across the shoulders as Khasar, but he trembled visibly, keeping his eyes downcast as Chen Yi strode into his home.

There was only one guard at the gate and he too kept his eyes averted from those who entered. Temuge felt his confidence grow and he looked around him with interest as soon as the gate was shut on the street. The run through the rain and darkness was behind and he enjoyed the subservient way the master mason of Baotou reacted.

Lian stood as if stunned before Chen Yi, his hair wild from sleep.

"I will have food and drink prepared," he murmured, but Chen Yi shook his head.

"It will not be necessary. Show me to where we can talk in private." Chen Yi looked around at the courtyard of the home. The mason had prospered under Imperial rule. As well as repairing the wall, he was responsible for the creation of three barracks and the race course in the heart of the Imperial district. Yet his home was simple and elegant. Chen Yi's gaze fastened on the single guard and he saw that he stood very close to a bell hanging from a beam.

"You would not want your man to summon soldiers here, Lian. Tell him to stand away from that bell, or I will believe you doubt my word."

The mason nodded to the soldier, who winced visibly and took up a new position near the main house. The rain grew heavier, pounding into the small courtyard. Chilled by it, the mason seemed to come to himself. He led them into the house and hid his fear in the lighting of lamps. Temuge saw his hand shake as he held the taper to wick after wick, more than they needed, as if the light could banish his fear.

Chen Yi settled himself on a hard couch as he waited for the mason to finish fussing round the room. Khasar, Ho Sa, and Temuge stood together, watching the scene in silent fascination. Chen Yi's guards took positions behind their master and Temuge saw the mason's eyes flicker over them, registering the threat.

At last he could not delay any longer. He seated himself across from Chen Yi, pressing his hands together to hide the way they shook.

"I have paid my tithe to the tong," Lian said. "Was it short?"

"It was not," Chen Yi replied. He took a moment to smooth the rainwater off his face, running his hand over his hair and flicking the drops onto the wooden floor. Lian's gaze followed them. "It is not that which brings me to you." Before Chen Yi could continue, Lian spoke again, unable to stop himself.

"The workers, then? I used all the men I could, but two of those you sent would not work. The others complained that they did not carry their share. I was going to dismiss them this morning, but if it is your will that they remain…"

Chen Yi could have been carved out of marble as he studied the master mason.

"They are the sons of friends. They will remain, but that is not why I am here."

The mason slumped slightly in his seat. "Then I do not understand," he said.

"Do you have one who can take over the work of maintaining the wall?"

"My own son, lord."

Chen Yi sat very still until the mason looked up at him.

"I am not a lord, Lian. I am a friend who must ask a favor."

"Anything," Lian replied, tensing for the worst.

Chen Yi nodded, pleased. "You will summon your son and tell him he must take over the work for a year, perhaps two. I have heard good reports of him."

"He is a fine son," Lian agreed immediately. "He will listen to his father."

"That is wise, Lian. Tell him you will be gone for that time, perhaps to find a new source of marble in a quarry somewhere. Make up whatever lie you wish, but do not leave him suspicious. Remind him the debts of the father are his while you are gone and explain the tithe he must pay to the tong if he wishes to work. I do not want to have to remind him myself."

"It is done," Lian said. He was sweating, Temuge saw, a bright line of droplets appearing on his hairline. He saw the burly mason gather his courage to ask a question.

"I will tell my wife and children the same, but may I know the truth?"

Chen Yi shrugged, cocking his head to one side. "Will it change anything, Lian?"

"No, lord. I am sorry…"

"It does not matter. You will accompany these friends of mine out of the city. They need your expertise, Lian. Bring your tools and, when your work is done, I will see to it that you are rewarded."

The mason nodded miserably and Chen Yi stood abruptly.

"Speak to those you love, Lian, then come with me."

The mason left the group alone and disappeared into the darkness of the house. Those who remained relaxed a little and Khasar wandered over to a silk hanging, using the material to dry the rain from his face and hair. Temuge heard the distant wail of a child as the man passed on what he had been told.

"I do not know what we would have done if you had not been here to help us," Ho Sa said to Chen Yi.

The master of the tong smiled slightly. "You would have blundered around my city until the soldiers caught you. Perhaps I would have come to watch the foreign spies impaled or hanged. The gods are fickle, but this time, they were with you."

"Have you given thought to getting us out of the city?" Temuge asked. Before Chen Yi could respond, Lian returned. His eyes were red, but he stood tall and had lost some portion of his fear. He wore a coat of heavy waxed cloth against the rain, and over one shoulder was a rolled leather pack that he clutched as if it gave him comfort.

"I have my tools," he said to Chen Yi. "I am ready."

They left the house behind and once again Chen Yi sent a man ahead to watch for soldiers walking their patrols. The rain had lessened and Temuge saw the north star briefly through the clouds. Chen Yi had explained nothing, but they headed west along a road parallel to the wall and Temuge could only trot with them.

In the darkness ahead, they heard a voice cry out and the group halted as one.

"Keep your blades out of sight," Chen Yi hissed. Temuge swallowed nervously, hearing footsteps on the paved road. They waited for the man ahead to come back, but instead, they heard the tramp of iron-shod sandals and Chen Yi darted his gaze around, taking in possible routes of escape.