Nurlan finds it is not a quick trip around the moathouse. He moves slowly, pausing periodically to examine the fortress from a new angle. After traveling about 15 minutes, he and the others are convinced it is occupied. Now and then a bang or voice is heard. Occationally a head and shoulders can be seen walking along the parapets. Nurlan travels around clockwise, towards the drawbridge. After about 15 minutes, he can see across it. A well-traveled road leads to it, probably from the path from where the PCs came. It splits just before reaching the drawbridge. One road leading East, towards the Sea. The other mostly South, from whence the party has come.
On the other side of the drawbridge, there appears to be an overturned wagon, and various sacks, crates and barrels, forming a crude baracade. A fortified tower rises next to the drawbridge on the west. Arrow slits point down at the approach, although the SW corner of the tower has crumbled. Other arrow slits have been visible on the parapet that Nurlan has passed. The river seems to form a moat around the entire fortress. The banging is irregular, but seems to be coming from the area around the tower and drawbridge.
At this point, Nurlan realized that if he continues on a complete circle around the moathouse, he won't return to his companions until the sun has set. If he returned now, there might be half an hour of sunlight left.