Second meeting with Hornsent and Leda’s assassination targets
The next time you encounter Hornsent will be at the Highroad Cross Site of Grace. To reach it, you must defeat Rellana, the major boss at Castle Ensis. At Highroad Cross, Hornsent gives you the second map, which has more Miquella Crosses.
Now, if you proceed north along the main road, you’ll arrive at the entrance to Shadow Keep, the foreboding fortress in the middle of the Scadu Altus region. A notification will also tell you that Miquella’s Seal has been broken. Don’t worry about this, since it just means that you can progress NPC quests further.
Important: Do not advance further into Shadow Keep. Instead, return to Highroad Cross and speak with Hornsent. He tells you that Messmer the Impaler wiped out his people as part of a crusade and that he will have his vengeance soon.
Next, talk to Needle Knight Leda (who’s also at Highroad Cross). She asks you if some of the adventurers might turn traitor. By default, you can only choose between Thiollier or Hornsent. Regardless of your decision, Leda will always target Hornsent, since she feels that he’ll likely become an enemy down the line.
However, before Leda can eliminate Hornsent, he disappears. Talk to Leda again to find out that Hornsent will be heading to Shadow Keep.