Ok I wondered because I was running around the desert (north of the Queen Spider) when I encountered the Imp from the end of time who told me there was a serious situation developing at the homestead. I hit f8 at that point because I was certain I was not meant to enter that dialogue at that point and went on to finish Maradino and head to Sacred Stone.

But I'll head for the forest now and see what happens!

Thanks Songbird!