The Witcher 3 - A Poet Under Pressure, Breakneck Speed, cellar key, trapdoor

Now that your rescue plan is almost complete, leave the city and use the objective marker to meet with Zoltan at the rendezvous point. Speak with him and, once Priscilla arrives, agree to let her stay (if you so choose). Next, you can either play a game of Gwent to pass the time or begin the rescue mission immediately.

A Poet Under Pressure

Use your Witcher Senses to pick up the trail

Once Dandelion has successfully (and unexpectedly) escaped the convoy, the action resumes in the midst of battle. Take care of any opponents in the immediate vicinity and activate your Witcher Senses. Run toward the objective marker (dealing with any more guards that strike) and locate the hoof prints at the top of the hill.

Begin following the trail through the undergrowth and, as you near the water's edge a little way on, keep watch for drowners. Take down any that stray too close to your position and continue following the trail when it's safe to do so. Eventually, you'll reach the end of the track - enter the camp nearby.

Ask if anyone from the camp has seen Dandelion's abductor

Speak to the peasant hammering his sword then resume your search.

Use your Witcher Senses to pick up the trail

Dandelion's trail continues a little way beyond the peasant you just engaged. Activate your Witcher Senses and follow the hoof prints along the path heading north-east. Leave the road a little further on and climb the hill as the trail continues. Stop when you reach the horse's body.

How to rescue Dandelion from the hut's cellar

Explore the area in front of the hut in the woods

Activate your Witcher Senses and examine the horse corpse. Next, work your way along the path toward the hut in the north-east. Speak to the halflings converging nearby and ask about the hut's other entrance to receive the cellar key.

Enter the halflings' home via the secret passage

Head north toward the hut and make your way around to the back of the building. Locate the trapdoor in the grass then use the key to unlock it.

Free Dandelion

When you're ready, open the trapdoor and descend the ladder. At the bottom, work your way along the corridor and loot the chest to the left. You'll find the Angrenian Cuirass armour inside, along with a few other goodies - note that the armour is relatively heavy so ensure that you're not overburdened before proceeding. In the next room, locate the ladder in the north-west corner and make your way up into the hut. Pass through the nearby door and defeat the witch hunter.

Untie Dandelion

With the soldier defeated, loot his body and untie Dandelion. Rejoin your friends outside then work your way through the dialogue options to kickstart another flashback.

Ciri's Story: Breakneck Speed

Flee towards Temple Isle

Don't expect any preamble when the action switches back to Ciri. You're immediately accosted by numerous foes intent on bringing you down. The good news is that you won't have to engage any of them if you stay on your toes: simply hammer your dodge boost and speed through the city streets, winding your way along the road in the direction of the objective marker.

Come to a halt when you spy Dandelion by the side of the track. A large number of henchmen stand guard up ahead, and you'll need to eliminate them in order to proceed - don't forget to use your Blink ability for effective crowd control. With all enemies defeated, run through the door nearby.

Back in the present, work your way through the various conversation options to bring your current quest to a close. Note that this grants access to the Cabaret secondary quest. Return to the Rosemary and Thyme in Novigrad if you want to pursue it.

- Keep reading for our guide to finishing Destination Skellige, the next quest in the game.

- Stuck somewhere else? Head back to the first page for the rest of our Witcher 3 walkthrough.