The Dink Network

I've completed all the of town quests and am a "Hero" in every town. When I go to Goodheart castle and try to get in, the guards tell me that the king is off seeing Milder to the darklands (I've never been inside the castle at all yet). I was wondering what else I need to do in order to continue, or is this a bug?

Go to Windemere and search all the houses until you find the one that has the stairs in it.
The stairs lead to Joppa Isle.
You need to go there first.

Oh I feel dumb, I had went there but didn't save my game after :\ lol thanks!