Make your escape.

"Peter, what are you up to this late?"

Tongue-tied, you look down at your hostage, back up at the guards...

"Peter...?"

"I... uh... I'm just..."

Below you, out of their line of sight, Anna notices your panic and chooses this moment to scream and thrash for all she's worth.

Her bonds and gag keep her from getting their attention. For now.

"Peter!"

One of them steps forward, hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword...

"Get down from there!"

Fuck it.

You clamber into the driver's seat, snatch the reins and drive the horse and cart directly at them.

They dive clear.

You shoot past.

Down the hill, toward the main gate.

An alarm bell rings somewhere behind you.

And in front of you the heavy iron portcullis slams shut, sealing your only exit.

The horse turns sharply...

... causing the cart to slide and you to be thrown from your perch, down into the mud.

THWACK.