Lucas continued speaking before any of them could interrupt.
"When a group is transported," he said, looking from the king to Henrietta and then to Commander Alexander, "they will not be left to wander blindly through the Abyss. Each group will arrive at a fixed location that I have personally marked. From that point, they will only need to walk a few miles before reaching the next teleportation portal."
Captain Varran narrowed his eyes slightly. "Only a few miles," he repeated. "In this place, that is still dangerous."
"It would be," Lucas agreed without offense. "Which is why those miles will not be exposed."
The king leaned forward in his saddle. "Explain."
Lucas lifted his hand and gestured toward the ice belle. She responded instinctively, drifting higher, her small body releasing a faint shimmer of frost that hung in the air without falling.
