Only so much could be done, and guards were a plenty in the square just outside of the Grand Duke's palace. Though a few men had been downed, another horseman was storming Dekka and this time, the fire-thief had a plan, a foolish plan, but then again a lot of the times his escape plans were just like this- where he would improvise.
So as the white stallion tore his way, Dekka leaped clean in front of it's path, avoiding the oncoming blade, but then just as the horse was rushing past, he threw himself at the beast and well- luck was on his side as the iron shackles got looped upon the saddle horn. Dekka's elation was short lived as the rider noticed it's extra piece of baggage and threw his sword up, just in time for the horse to slow, for Dekka to swing and then his elbow to connect into the rider's gut. Stunned, the blade fell and the man went side saddle, but before he fell over, Dekka grabbed onto his body, using it to throw himself half on the horse before wrestling with the man and finding himself soon on the saddle of the white horse.
He gave a laugh at the downed rider who stared back up at Dekka in stunned silence, and just as archers were readying their arrows for him, the King of Thieves righted himself on the saddle and fumbled over the reins. THen with a kick of his boots he shouted, "YA!" And the horse replied in kind, whinnying at the boot prod and scream and tore off across the square, bolting towards the portcullis.
And that's when the guards realized exactly where the escaping thief was headed.
"CLOSE THE GATES MEN! CLOSE THEM!" and the familiar heavy, click, click, click of the gears and the sharp teeth fro the door began to fall, just as Dekka was rushing towards it. It was hard to see if he'd be too late- but he at least had to give it a try.
Freedom was just a breath away.