Burnova

How I missed that pot, I do not know. Thanks

The first time I entered this sector, I immediately knew that I'd eventually find an hidden passage in the northwest, so I continued playing. I made it through Murkwood, had high enough leadership to talk with the bandits there, made my way to Penta eventually got the task from the learned servile there to deal with the bandits in Northeast Fen. I went back to Murkwood to talk to them as per the instructions, but they were hostile. The secret path does not open in Northeast Fen now. Was my understanding of how the path would open incorrect? If so, what do I do to gain access to them and complete the Aid Penta quest's second task?