The ladder carved into the wall doesn't seem to be trapped or fragile enough to break under the weight of anything smaller than a very large bull. Or big angry bear, depending on your cultural points of reference. Audric makes it up to the window with ease despite the fact the ladder seems to be the tiniest bit slanted inwards, towards the lake.

Audric
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Outside, you see more pebbles, and the closer bank is covered with grass. You're still pretty deep underground-the hole which is twenty feet up inside the cave is a few inches below the surrounding dirt outside, and well hidden by an overabundance of tall, prickly, grasses. The sun glints off of the river, and you can see tiny bits of things bobbing in it through the grass stalks. Fishing boats as well, if you are seeing straight and not crazy-two things which seem to be highly uncertain given recent events. The far bank is actually rather difficult to see, but if you are not mistaken, you are still very close to Attalin-you can see it, sorta, on the horizon. Meaning you are on the Iraness.

More specifically, on the wrong bank of the Iraness, a couple miles downstream of Attalin.

You're quite sure there are ferries-after all, they do occasionally manage to send a rider out to Brightblade. And he's even responded via rider. Once or twice. You think.

Uncertainties about the status of the northeastern hills notwithstanding, if there are ferries that can carry horses across the river, there are probably ferries that can carry people as well.