Moving carefully past the west end of the castle you can clearly see figures moving about as they pass by the arrow slits which watch over the approach. Rounding the corner you can see a bow being readied in your general direction only to be withdrawn after a few tense momeents. The occupants are either aware of your presence or paranoid. Possibly both.
The damage to walls, while significant, has been repaired enough that any attempt to bust through would take a significant amount of effort and time. It could be done, but not without drawing the attention of the occupants.
Reaching the footpath which
Gerbo and
Karma found the previous evening appears to be the best bet, when it's discovered that the path does indeed lead to an entrance obstructed with dusty canvas. Pushing the cover aside you can see that the tower above has almost completely collapsed, although the ground floor still has a little open space. Rotting crates and ancient barrels show that provisions were once stored here. A heavy curtain blocks a crumbling area to the south, and an intact door, made of wood and bound by iron bands, leads east.
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