When I approached Aufra's home for the first time, after already having traveled farther than Gilded Vale, I was approached by Kolcs who said "It seems that you have done dear Aufra a great service." - which I haven't. Wanted to attach a savegame from right before the first conversation with Kolcs, but upload didn't work.
I've got Ludrana's Orders which mentions Kolcs, maybe that's a trigger ...