[@Ace of flames01]

Badtuc trudged on stoically with his passenger, the miles melted away as the keep came into sight. Not long after, the weary group was within the castle and being told where to find warmth and healing. Bartuc hadn't said a word since taking Ruinil in his arms. He was overcome with a profound sense of grief. Here in his arms could be his whole world, but she would never see him that way. No woman could.

Ruinil spoke softly after a time, dazed and almost afraid. Her eyes pleaded for him to uphold his oath of protecting his fellow templars. The church ran thanermere, that was obvious from all the priests he saw, and it clicked in his head why Ruinil was pleading. She was afraid they would try something just for her heritage. 
"rest easy. I will allow none to touch you, but that you will it." She nestled more into his arms and his heart grew heavier still. Ruinil would kill him if she knew.

They guided Bartuc and his companion to a room away from the others, apparently still untrusting of her despite years of loyalty. He thanked them politely and entered the room.
It was clean and had fresh sheets, a simple nightstand and a single bed were the only things in it. Suspiciously, it was also the only room in use in the area. He tried to put it out of mind but the suspicions lingered.
Bartuc gently lowered hero to the bed, she was still in her bloodied armor but that meant nothing to him. "rest easy, little doe." Sleep well he thought to himself. He closed the door and took up position near the opposite wall and crossed his hands to stare at the door. His body aches, his wounds had not been tended, and he had gotten little sleep over the days march, but he never slacked in his duties. Ruinil could not defend herself at the current time. He would stay until she could.

Almost an hour went by uninterrupted before a soft knock on the door came.  Ruinil didn't budge thankfully, so Bartuc took it on himself. Not to answer it though.
The door was close to the wall, so when it opened there was a blind spot. Looking in you'd never know he was there. The door opened and he waited silently. 
"it is her. The devil child." One man whispered softly.
"We must act now while it sleeps. For the order." The rustling of clothes heralded a more ominous sound. The jingle of armor. "close the door. We finish it and claim her wounds took her." There was a hushed murmur of acceptance as the conspirators began.
Slowly the walked into the room, ignorant of the danger lurking behind the door. As they entered the room he sprung. Too focused on the task ahead, the fools ignored the threat behind them.
The door slammed shut as Bartuc barreled forward, the closest target was armored but surprised like the others.
Bartuc was bloody, his armor was still smeared in demons blood, his helmet was dented and equally splattered. The hole in his chestplate was still clearly visible. He must have looked like a monster.
An expert in close quarters combat, the fight was over before it had a single blade pulled. All 3 were thrown from the room one after the other, the soldier had his fingers broken by a stomp of armored feet, the two priests were missing teeth and one may never see from his left eye again.
All 3 considered it a small price to pay when he told them he would not speak of what he heard.
With a grunt, he closed the door and stood with his back resting on it. His breathing was shallow as blood started to seep from his reopened wound on his chest.
He took out the dried root and began to chew quietly, the numbing sensation coming to his tired body.
None would bother her while he stood.