The Black Raven: plot of the three swords

Sunset: Friends in high, longitude places

You ride to Rempton. The port-town is bustling with many people as it is a busy time of the year. The merchants actively unload their crates of goods with the assistance of their hirelings and the local port stevedores. 

The people buy and sell their goods in the wide marketplace in Rempton, the heart of the town.
Yet, despite their bustling and hustling they do not fail to recognise their lord. They give way to you and your entourage. 

"Who are we here to meet, lord?," Samorra questions you. 

"You will see, "you say to him, not willing to give away the surprise. 

You ride through the marketplace and then out of it. A few people curtsy to show respect, but yet others just merely stand aside. Lord Aversoff is also by your side. A rather talk and youthful man, but more mature than he looks. He has been lord of Bouganland before you became the lord of Portswater. His long, black hair makes it seem as though he came from the south, but his much smoother complexion nullifies that. A thick and robust chest is evident and he looks like he is well for for war in his glimmering, well-polished armour. He is a rather quiet lord and has said nothing much since you had met him in Arkney.

"Lord Aversoff?" 

He looks at you. 

"Let me say how terribly sorry I am for the death of your mother, lady Gersaw."

He still says nothing, but now saddened eyes say it all as he looks down to hide his face. 

"During the few hours I knew her, she seemed well-learnt and a very responsible woman. It is a pity that she had to die in such a traitorous way as she did,"you apologise, sympathetically.

 "I hope you know I had nothing to do with it," you tell him trying to make sure there's no bad air between you both. At a time such as this, you can't afford to be betrayed again. Time is precious and so is the trust you place on those around you.

 "I do know", he finally speaks.

 A child-like tone emerges from the depths of his throat. 

"While I was imprisoned in the dungeon of my own castle, the sly, devilish Daedalus came to visit me and he confessed that you did not kill my mother, nor anyone else at the lords' council. He said he had been orchestrating the plan for months and he did everything he could not to fail. He deceived Judas, your spymaster and even Vradnik just a few days before that tragic day. It has all been in his planning. But one thing hasn't." 

You look keenly at him now. 

"Your escape from High Gate pulled him back on his plan. He knew that should you escape, his fresh, new kingdom that stretches from the dry canyons of Maggotscar to the lush, green coasts of Dullac, could break apart. So he had diplomats sent to every area of the continent. Men from Maggotscar, Vladnia, Uburrusk and even Saturna in the south, have come to join his cause; twenty thousand men strong. All of whom he deceived with lies, having them trapped in the palms of his hands," he moves his fingers in a spiral motion to dictate further what he is saying. 

"We cannot fail this last battle, lord Alexander", he reminds you, sounding much like Lernard and your father.

"The order must die here!"

You nod. 

"And with your help, good lord, it shall", you encourage him.

You ride to the far coast of King's Reach and dismount. All the men stare at the Great Western sea, bluer than the sky or any water that has been seen.
The waves roll in from afar and crash on the Sandy shores. Small pieces of rocks push out like mountains from under the sea.