Lop

Lop anchors the Gobi Desert's frontier on the Silk Road route past Kashgar and Yarkand. Caravans seek its wells for rest and repairs under Mongol patrols, but poisoned water triggers sharp debates—Barbara pushes retreat, Marco and Ian cite bandit risks ahead. From Sinju Way Station, Tegana requests to ride ahead alone after parleying with Polo, masking his scheme to link with rebel contacts. Sandstorms swallow paths, stranding his courier and fueling Acomat's suspicions of weak excuses amid shifting dunes and mounting threats.