Bartuc reached out as Ruinil swooned, already he was turning to catch her as she fell. Blood loss was claiming her along with the painful sting of the crossbow bolt. Likely it had struck somewhere in the shoulder through bone. A miracle she could move the limb at all.
In his arms he cradled the frightened woman and whispered softly in her ear. Promises of life and love, to never spend her nights alone, assuring her that no harm would come. 
The warm feeling on his back alerted him to the presence of Karl, having gone around the back without Bartuc noticing. Impressive.
"thank the gods you're here. The fools at Thanremere thought her a demon and aimed to kill. Its her mind. She doesn't recognize us I think." He laid her down on the floor softly, her cloak was laying over her like a blanket. His various pouches were laying under her head for support. Knight captain Sunderland was outside, he was sure of it. "I will find the archer that did this when we return. I promise." He kissed her on the cheek. The crimson glow of his eyes never faded, his blood called for revenge but deep down he knew this to be a misunderstanding.