Kaiser tapped the bottom of his staff against the ground. "One gate here." He struck the earth a second time. "One gate at the heart of your marsh." Kaiser spread both hands. "The Dark Continent becomes a short walk away."
Ludwig rubbed his chin because that possibility was significantly more useful. A hidden stronghold beyond Solania with direct access to Bastos would give them a route that required no mountains, hostile territory, or Imperial roads.
If disaster struck inside the Empire, they would possess somewhere safe to retreat. If the danger originated within the Dark Continent, Kaiser could withdraw directly to Bastos.
"Can you actually do it?"
Kaiser looked offended. "I was a high-ranking mage before I was a lich."
"That doesn't answer the question."
"I constructed dimensional gateways before your ancestors discovered indoor plumbing."
"So yes?"
"Yes."
Ludwig nodded. "Fine."
Kaiser paused. "Fine?"
"Why not?"
