The Black Citadel

You walk down the long corridor until it turns abruptly to the right. Soon after you come to an intersection of corridors, however closing off the right hand corridor is a large metal portcullis. You do notice a large wooden lever here, jutting down and out from the stone wall, however on closer examination, it looks to be broken at the base. You don't know if it's possible to open it.

Suddenly you hear sounds coming down from the corridor to your left. You can make out men yelling and the clashing sounds of metal. You decide to move down this way and investigate.