The hill-men at the bridge were already retreating into the dark, clearly not intending to stick around for the promise Ludo's hospitality. Watching them until they had vanished into the night, Domenico and the others turned to follow Ludo and Adelbert back to the castle, leaving two men behind to watch the bridge.

At the gates, they found Elsa and the others, looking very much locked out. The Iron Company men were talking among themselves in hushed but rapid Tilean; if the rope wouldn't do, they didn't seem to have any other solutions.