A Mongol bandit was among the group working for Acomat and, through him, Tegana, in 1289.
The bandit waited with Acomat on the edge of Marco Polo's camp, having been ordered to attack when Tegana signalled them with a burning branch. With the moon about to rise and no signal having come, he and Acomat decided to attack anyway and to do so openly rather than stealthily as instructed.
They arrived to find the First Doctor, Ian, Marco, Tegana and a group of bearers waiting for them. A fight broke out in which Acomat was killed by Tegana to maintain his cover, at the same moment that bamboo sticks placed into the fire by Ian and Marco exploded. The two events panicked the bandit and his fellows, and they fled. (TV: Marco Polo)