So, that totally makes sense, and I totally expected an ambush upon leaving and snuck around and didn't run in to Kolsc and couldn't find him in the Gilded Vale. But I reloaded to the point just after I won the battle (after backstabbing that SoB) and pranced around like a ninny, burning hole marks in the throne room from all the circles I ran NOT in stealth mode, and no Kolsc still. I explored other parts of the hold and even went to the main throne room entrance from the ramparts and walked through that way-still no Kolsc.
I really really really don't want to redo that fight, but I want to complete the quest, and I tried and failed about ten times to win the fight honestly (either by dialogue and then attack or sneak attack), and just could not win without flanking and attacking after agreeing to work with Raederic. HELP!!!?! I am going to put off playing anymore so I don't lose progress I made when this bug gets fixed somehow.
Thank you!!