As word spread that the workers were close to freeing the trapped men, family members traveled long distances to gather at the tunnel and waited to see their loved ones.
By the time he finally allowed Marco Polo to leave his court, the one-time warrior was nothing but a fat, unhappy man, trapped in a vast palace as luxurious as it was empty.
" My Lord, " said Kynes, " these men know it's of little use to do anything about men trapped on the desert in worm country." " We'll send a ship from base for them! " the Duke snapped.