"understood. I leave punishment and strong reminders to the guard, but know that this does not please me in the slightest." Bartuc growled, ashamed to have left her unprotected while he slumbered on the floor not so far away. His rage was all to visible to see. The dead wolves, massive creatures of fur and fury, were a small testament to his power. All had seen him in combat by now, and knew he did not boast when he spoke of prowess in battle.

As before, he reattached his belt pouches and picked up his partner in strong arms. It would be a long run but it was the only way to assure her safety. He wrapped the cloak about her and set off, using the same path he had torn in the snow to arrive to retrace his steps. By horse would be faster but it ran immediate risk of having the wound reopen. In his arms the ride would be gentler by far. 
Every step brought more and more anger to his heart, the thought of her death at the hands of an incompetent soldier of the dawn only made him run faster. 
The mission was to rid the area of a Kest burrow, those filthy insects that had killed good men on the road from starguard. The memories were still fresh in his mind, only now he pictured Ruinil among the dead. 

Bartuc would see them extinct.