Alexi had plenty of time to think and be afraid... although the fear seemed to be cutting into his thinking time...

He stumbled back as Katherine leapt forwards, and continued to retreat as she engaged the three in a sudden, fierce scramble of blades. Part of him raged that he did so, angry at the rest of himself that wished to flee in terror. It's howling proved the minority, but it did keep Alexi from falling back any further, allowed him a modicum of reason to act on.

"Right- [i]GUARDS![/i]" He liked to think his voice remained calm and collected. If asked sometime later, he would probably say that it was, that his shouting rang with clear authority rather than terror. 

And if those listening knew him at all, they would understand that to be completely untrue.

"Guards! Help!" [i]Oh Lord, if your eyes are watching, let them come in time.[/i] "HELP!"

 He thought he heard footsteps, hurried stomping barely noticed beyond the cringing crashes of blade on blade. He fancied hearing voices, official shouts in response to his own cries. He dared hope it was true, dared pray that his escort would come out on top and that assistance would arrive to ensure that. But until he saw the flash of armor accompanied by that hurried, drilled-in gait those of the military were known for, he would continue to bolster hope with what action he could muster.

"Help! Thieves on the streets! Guards!"