How do I play this?

How do I do anything in this game? I bought the first game not long ago but just can't figure out how to progress at all. I've gotten passed the cells in the 3rd level and into a save point. But I've gotten myself stuck in a loop. I feed myself and the girl then put on a guard outfit to sneak by the elite guard and pull the lever so I can get into the caverns pray to Sylvian without even knowing if it's doing anything. I stare at the scam potion in my inventory and wonder if this time it won't poison me. Go into the mines. Then I blow up some rubble. Either fight someone who stole my money (and most likely die because I miss 50% of my attacks. Of course the girl doesn't miss for some reason.) Or let him join me so he can probably just steal more later. Then eventually die without learning anything and do it all again. I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere after hours after trying again and again.