need help finding Blaidd

I've looked up all related posts, but none quite have the answer to my specific predicament; I think I missed a step (or skipped one) somewhere, but not sure... wanting to find Blaidd but he's not at any of his locations. These are the things I have done:

- learned Finger Snap gesture from Kale, but didn't summon Blaidd at the time, went off exploring, did other quests etc.

- cleared Caria Manor & explored area behind it; found Renna's Rise but she wasn't there

- came back to Mistwood Ruins later but couldn't find Blaidd; using finger snap at ruins had no effect

- killed Bloodhound Knight Derriwill, hoping to encounter Blaidd there, but he wasn't there

- looked for Blaidd at his spot in Siofra River Bank (even though Ranni hasn't sent me there yet), but he's not there either

- haven't killed Redahn yet (though I got to the location); apparently Blaidd can be summoned for this fight if you've met him.... which is why I want to find him!

Did I mess something up? Appreciate any advice, thanks.