Do you have a recent save before you left the homestead, that you can reload?
When you enter the next main map area, Arhu will approach you again, and should them move to the homestead. It is possible to reach Luculla Forest early in the game, with a bit of sneaking.
North east of town, out the gate by the legion headquarters, stop at the bridge before the fire area (just north of the mill where there are a couple NPCs), and select a single character to start sneaking (cast rain there, if you have it; Jahan does, if he is in your party). Keep along the ridge that is running to the north east until you pass a couple of opponents; there is a larger opponent next that is easier to sneak past if you wait until it turns around and starts heading north, then move east and north around it, go past a waypoint portal and keep going a bit before un-sneaking. Try not to take any fire damage along the way, or you'll drop out of sneak mode. The other characters can teleport to the waypoint, but should either sneak first or wait until the opponent moves south again (depending on character level, party build and fire resistance). Periodic saves during this process wouldn't be a bad idea.
