After the fight Rachel and Murtagh got on better. They could see things from the other point of view: Murtagh understood the Rachel valued everyone elses life higher than he own and she understood that Murtagh would protect anyone he cared for any price. She didn't like the fact he'd kill but she was glad he would protect her back and she vowed, in her own head, to protect his in every way she could.
Also since Rachel accidentally threw Murtagh away from her they could discuss it together. He showed her his magic a few moments afterwards; he could hardly believe he had done it but he told her without really knowing who she was but they seemed to understand each other.
However magic did not supply their food so they decided that they'd go into the nearest town and have a proper meal and buy some vegetables. Murtagh mentally reminded himself to ask anyone from the town inns or taverns if any travellers had been around. He reminded himself it might be someone he had met at the Varden. He wondered if he knew who Nasuada would send. Perhaps Eragon but it would be too dangerous for him. Maybe an elf like Arya, she could probably change her appearance at will. She is a member of the fairer race.
They entered the town on Murtaghs horse Tornac and he dismounted and helped her off, which was unusual for them because Rachel usually got off on her own but Murtagh being Murtagh didn't want to arouse suspicion because if anyone asked they were engaged and were riding to a northern part of the country to get married and they had to look the part.
Murtagh held her waist and she jumped down into his arms. She, being a little clumsy as she knew she was, lost her balance a little and fell into his and he steadied her. Of course when he steadied her they got even closer than before. They spent a second more than necessary holding onto each other on his shoulders and her waist. They moved apart without saying a word and also dropping eye contact.
"I'm going to the inn. Can you go and get fruit and vegetables in the market?" he asked.
She looked up at him a little defiantly, she wondered if he was getting her to do it because it was a woman's job in his opinion but she accepted her role and that doing it the other way would be a bit odd.
They walked their separate ways. She spent her day buying fruit and veg that they couldn't get on the road. It was a few hours before darkness would fall when Murtagh found her and pulled her away from the stalls looking at some handmade jewellery. Maybe he'd get it for her later.
They went back to the local inn ate a good hearty meal. The beer flowed freely in the tavern and the music and laughter was infectious. When they got out of the public house it was dark. Rachel was leaning on Murtagh because she was a little tired.
"I'll untie Tornac," he said as he leant her against the wall.
Then a few things happened at once: Murtagh turned his back to face away from her, there was a sound from behind them and then bandits pulled Rachel away whilst covering her mouth. He could still hear he muffled scream though and he turned around and drew out his sword. He ran where he could see where her boots had dug into the ground. He heard them talking to her around the third street.
"That all she's got?" he asked in a distinctly gruff voice of what appeared to be their leader. The man nodded as he held out the money Murtagh had given her for food and essentials. There was another man standing guard and another pinning her up against a wall. She certainly wasn't asleep now. She looked terrified.
The leader walked up to her and ran a bony finger down the left side of her face. He could she her stiffen under his touch.
"Well aren't you pretty?" he asked scarily smooth compared with his earlier performance. She shook her head in answer. She was bound but he could hear muffled whimpers coming from her scared, small form.
"Don't be so modest my dear," he said tormentingly as he leaned in. "I have plans for you."
He took his moment: Everyone's attention was focused on her. He knocked the guard out, then the other two. He fended the leader away and she ran to his side. The leader walked menacingly towards them taking out a mace but Murtagh took out his sword and killed him with one swing and without any further talk or fighting he walked back to Tornac and lifted Rachel onto the saddle and he did too and galloped back without a word being said between them.