The Blood of Dawnwalker Day 2 Guide: Free Mert

How do you rescue Mert after leaving Laslea?

Follow the rebel lead to Mert’s Mill, reach his cell at Stoneward Post, and use the prison keys to release him. The useful shortcut comes after the tower fight: an exit beside the overseer’s building avoids a lengthy retreat through the whole fort. This page covers The Firebrand and its rescue follow-up, Under Watchful Eyes, with spoilers for both quests.

“Day 2” places this article after our Smoke and Ashes guide. It is a suggested route label, not a deadline or mandatory chapter. This is a source-based guide, checked against published gameplay walkthroughs on September 9, rather than a claim that our editors personally played every branch.

Where does The Firebrand begin?

After Smoke and Ashes, investigate Vlad’s hut and follow the lead to the mill in Briar Sloughs. During a daytime visit, cooperate with Renna’s cart-repair cover story to hear about her husband’s imprisonment. Stoneward Post is your next destination. PowerPyx lists separate time charges for the mill visit, the overseer meeting, and questioning Mert; inspect each confirmation before accepting it. Source: PowerPyx’s Firebrand walkthrough.

If your journal already directs you to the prisoner, continue from that objective rather than repeating the opening journey. Players still inside the village should finish the relevant objectives in our prologue walkthrough first. Keep a save before making the mill decision if you want to compare its outcome later.

Should you leave the soldiers at the mill alive?

This choice matters to Renna separately from whether you manage to free Mert. PC Gamer reports that leaving the soldiers alive results in her death while Coen undertakes the rescue. Its recommended route for preserving her life is to kill the soldiers, despite her immediate objection. At night, the confrontation begins differently and includes a dialogue escape, so arriving after dark does not erase the decision. Source: PC Gamer’s mill choice guide.

Treat that as a choice with a reported consequence, not a promise that every later event has been tested. If your priority is keeping the couple together, resolve the mill situation before committing to the prison escape. If you prefer to accept your first decisions, the rescue instructions below remain useful without reloading the entire quest.

How can you reach the cell during daylight?

The front-gate approach can involve surrendering your weapons. Before agreeing, check what you will have available for the escape. Inside, a woman near the overseer’s quarters exposes a theft scheme involving prisoners’ belongings. Question merchant Yenno about it to gain information that can help you obtain access to Mert. Method describes using that knowledge with the overseer instead of paying for access. Source: Method’s daytime approach.

Follow the responses actually offered in your conversation. The practical aim here is entry to the prisoner; starting an unnecessary fight before locating him complicates that aim. Once downstairs, look around before committing to release him. A weaponless arrival needs preparation just as much as an openly hostile one.

Where is the Prison Keychain?

Gameplay image: Rebel Wolves, via Method’s walkthrough. The visible interaction identifies the required keychain.

Search the overseer’s room for the Prison Keychain. VGC explains that the steal prompt turns red when someone is watching. Its guide also records a key on the defeated downstairs guard. If your weapons were confiscated, the sword near the cells offers a replacement; picking it up may provoke the guard, so be ready to equip it. Source: VGC’s rescue instructions.

Check the inventory rather than assuming an interaction succeeded. Before opening the cell, prepare healing and make sure your intended weapon or vampire attack is available. Expect resistance around the tower, including Rayko the Incorruptible. The rear exit shortens the escape route; it does not make releasing the prisoner automatically peaceful.

Which exit should you use with Mert?

Gameplay image: Rebel Wolves, via Method. Notice that the objective still names the main gate.

PowerPyx records three time segments for freeing Mert and a 250 XP completion reward. After dealing with the immediate enemies, look on the north side of the overseer’s tower for a lit alcove. The prison key opens its door and another door beyond it. This route completes the escort despite the objective referring to the main gate. Source: PowerPyx’s Under Watchful Eyes guide.

Choose this exit when your goal is extracting Mert with fewer encounters. Once outside, finish the conversation and check the journal for completion before leaving. Also check any separate equipment-recovery objective if the entrance guards took your possessions. Saving the prisoner and recovering your original kit are different things to verify.

What should you do after the rescue?

Return to your journal and decide which open lead suits your remaining time. You do not need to reproduce another player’s exact clock to continue the story. Our walkthrough index lists the routes currently available. If controls or a quest interaction behave unexpectedly, compare your installed version with our official hotfix coverage before assuming a different outcome is a confirmed bug.