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The third guardpost is the one with the pillar maze in it and two gates which must be opened by stepping on runes. I passed through there and exited outside to the south. If I reenter the guardpost from the south, I'm unable to get past the now-closed gates, so returning the way I came is apparently impossible. This guardpost marks one end of the area I'm stuck in.

I continued on to the Empire Portal and destroyed it. The text came up saying that I'd completed one of the main quests of the game. There is no place that I can see to continue from the Empire Portal. Outside I see the water to the east of me, but I've got no boat and the way is blocked with a stalagmite.

I've searched all over with my far sight for secret paths, but I don't see anything. How do I get out of this area? Man, I am going to be mad if I screwed something up and my saved games don't go back far enough to get out of here!