Much like the passage that Ana and Roderick took to reach the kitchens, the escape passage is drafty and wet. As they draw nearer to the end, a clap of thunder sounds making her jump and Much give a short yelp of fright before Roderick shushes them. "We're getting close." Duncan whispers from the head of the group. "I can hear the wind blowing through the cracks of a door."

They finally reach the door and wait anxiously as Duncan tries to work the door open enough to peek through. Once wide enough, he peers out. "Ser Gilmore." He whispers. "Come here."

Walking towards the Warden, Roderick looks out. "The stables are not far from here. With luck, there should still be a couple horses."

As one of what looks to be Howe's men rides past, Duncan shuts the door slightly and looks back at them, hearing the sound of Ana's teeth chattering as she wraps her arms around herself. Conjuring in his mind what she's wearing, Duncan frowns. "With it downpouring out there, it wouldn't be wise nor sensible for you to travel like that." He says, referring to her lack of cloak or protective armor. Thinking quickly, he glances out once more. "Stay here. I'll be right back."

Before either of them can say anything, Duncan ducks out of the passage. "What is he doing?" Ana hisses. She and Roderick gather close to the door and look out but see nothing but darkness and the dark shape of a bush nearby.

After leaving the safety of the passage, Duncan crouches along the small path, his heavy boots sinking down within the mud. Catching sight of the soldier that passed before, he ducks behind a bush. From what he can make out, the man is alone and probably on a patrol in case anybody escapes. Lightning flashes as thunder booms overhead and he sinks lower, worried the light will gleam off his armor and give him away. Once it's dark once more., he gives a low whistle. The man, hearing him, slows his horse as he looks around him, his hand grabbing his pommel. "Who's there?" The man calls into the darkness. "Show yourself."

His eyes trained on the man, he reaches down and feels around the watery ground before he finds a stone. He chucks it and it flies past him and lands on the other side of him with a small splash. The man's head swivels as his head darts to the other side now. "Show yourself!"

With the man's attention diverted, Duncan takes his chance and runs up, grabbing the man and throwing him from his saddle before pressing him into the muddy ground. The man struggles against him as he begins to call for help before Duncan quickly slits his throat. A gurgling noise sounds as the man reaches for his neck. Lightning flashes once more as the man looks up to see the warden standing over him before his body goes limp. Placing his dagger back in his belt, Duncan sighs while he unbuckles the man's cloak and rolls him over to pull it off. Not the best but it'll have to do for now.

Standing, he walks over to the whinnying horse and takes the reins. "Easy there…" He says, petting its mane as he tries to comfort it. Looking around, he leads the horse back toward the passage and knocks. The door opens slightly before he motions to Roderick. "Hold this." He says, holding out the reins. As he hands them off to the knight, he leans toward him and lowers his voice. "With only one horse, we'll need to split up. Since they will mostly be wanting Lady Ana, I will start heading southeast toward the Brecillian Forest. You'll need to meet us in Ostagar but I recommend you head southwest, along the western side of Lake Calenhad so that we split their forces. Do you understand?"

Ser Gilmore casts a glance back toward Lady Ana before nodding. "I understand." He says.

"Also, at the rate we will be riding, her Mabari might not be able to keep up." Duncan says, grimly. "I know she will not want to part with it but he might slow us down. I will need you to bring him with you, if possible."

Roderick nods and Duncan walks over towards Ana, holding the cloak out to her.

"What is that?" She asks, wrinkling her nose.

"It's a cloak. Put it on, quickly." He says, thrusting it towards her.

"It's wet!"

"It is but it's better than no protection at all." He says firmly. "Now hurry."

Hesitantly, she takes it from him and throws it around, cringing as the wet fabric touches her bare upper back. She fumbles with the clasp before Duncan steps forward to help her. Once he steps back, he motions towards the horse. "Let's go. The sooner we leave, the more distance we can put between us and Howe's men." He says. "Also, the sooner we can get to Ostagar and warn the King."

Ana looks past him at the horse, frowning. "But there's only one horse and there's 3 of us."

Roderick and Duncan exchange a glance as Duncan takes the reins and swings up into the saddle. Roderick steps toward Ana and takes her hands. "Go with Duncan." He frowns. "I'll follow once I get a horse."

Her eyes widen as she shakes her head. "No! I already had to leave my parents…please don't make me leave you too!"

Breaking the usual façade, he touches her cheek. "You won't be. I'll be right behind you. Once I know you're on your way, I'll head to the stables and find a mount. If we don't see each other on the road, I'll see you at Ostagar. I promise."

Tears form in her eyes and spill down her cheeks, intermingling with the rain. Leaning forward, he pulls her to him and captures her lips with his in a bittersweet kiss. As he pulls away, he frowns. "Go on."

She sniffs but eventually nods. "I'll see you at Ostagar." She says, her lip trembling. "Promise me."

"I promise, my love. Now go."

Giving him one last hug, she lifts takes Duncan's hand as he extends it and Roderick gives her a boost. She sits on the saddle before Duncan, hugging the Cousland shield and sword tightly against her as she looks back at her lover. "I love you, Rory!"

"And I, you, my sweet Ana."

Reaching around Ana to grab a hold of the reins with his other hand, Duncan digs his heels into the horse's flank and they ride off into the dark and stormy night.