Author's Note: So it has been yet another year and I've finally got out another chapter. Sorry for the long wait. As I explained in my bio I've been keeping busy with college. It was so much easier to write when I was in high school, had more time or something I guess. I'm afraid this chapter hasn't been beta read, and I only scanned through it to spell check and add a couple details. So I'm getting down into more serious matters with this chapter and it will probably continue on that way. This story has gotten so huge I wonder if perhaps it's gotten bland. I know the general story structure I have in mind, it's just taking a long time to go through it and the many details and events that are to happen.

Thanks to all who have reviewed my previous chapter! I always look forward to reading what you all think. Sorry this came out so long after the last chapter.

I hope you all enjoy and please leave a review.

Chapter 21

Sarah shifted, feeling very hot and felt material slide off of her back, cool air immediately rushing around her, but she was still warmed by the body she was resting against. She opened her eyes, her vision bleary, clearing up with her rapid blinking and yawn, breathing in the warmth. John had a comfortable smell, and though she wouldn't admit it to anybody, she wouldn't mind waking up to his warmth and scent everyday.

Her left hand rested on John's chest and she splayed her fingers over the thin material of his shirt, feeling the work hardened muscles of his chest. She began to slowly run her hand down his abdomen then back up to his chest, rubbing him. She didn't see the slivers of red peeking through light eyelashes down at her on his chest, nor see the small smile on his lips, but she did feel the arm around her grasp her to him.

"Ah!" John grunted, crinkling his face as he held his arm still.

Sarah pushed herself up on the shifting bed, eyebrows pushing together, "Is something wrong?"

A smile twitched back onto his face as he replied, "No, just that my arm had fallen asleep, now it's all tingly."

Sarah put together a monumental effort to not try and poke at his arm and was very proud of herself when she succeeded.

John saw the odd look on her face that was hovering over him and quirked an eyebrow, wondering if he missed something as he held his arm as still as possible as he felt the strange ticklish pain.

The young woman pushed back her dark, wavy hair then bent down and pecked the naturally pale man on the cheek, getting up from the bed and with a twinkle in her blue eyes said, "We should get going, I'll meet you at the door in twenty minutes."

John, witnessing her new found confidence in their relationship was a bit speechless, although there really wasn't much he needed to say other than nod an affirmative. As she stepped out of the door he began to shake his left arm out, getting rid of the prickling sensations running up and down his arm. He felt quite content, a kiss on the cheek and a stomach rubbing. He was no dog, but that felt good, he could understand why a dog would roll over for such a belly rub. He laughed to himself as he got ready.

They arrived at the old barn in a wagon that had picked them up with others, thanked the driver as they all got down from the rough-hewn cart as the sun was slowly descending, the sky already starting to rust and deepen in color. A fine haze was over the roiling crowd of dancing, laughing, and singing bodies, so slight that it only pricked up on the visual sense as just not being able to see the surrounding in sharp detail. It became almost to the point of cloudiness when the haze was followed to its point of origin: groups of elderly men smoking their pipes. It wasn't an unpleasant smell, most of it was sweet, some of it tangy. Many of the men savored the taste of the sweetened smoke, holding it in their mouth and slowly letting it drift out as they talked amongst their friends on the side watched the younger people swarming in the center. A couple of them were impressing some young children by puffing out smoke rings from their whiskered mouths, smiling at them indulgently as children asked them to do it again.

Sarah's hand rested in the crook of John's left arm, the cool palm of his right hand resting on top of her hand as they walked past a bonfire and a cooking pit with a boar, smelling deliciously of spices, rotating above it cranked by hand. A large, short-haired dog lay by the cranker's feet, eyes looking up from where it laid its head on its large, black paws.

Many recognizable faces were in the living sea that had taken up residence in the center of the barn, its edges lapping up to the tables of food and drink towards the limits of the building. In back a few ribbon encrusted barrels had been cracked open, wines, ales, and beers freely flowing for those who wished to imbibe. Already a few red-faced men and fewer rosy-cheeked women could be found floating nearby, various amounts of alcoholic beverage remained in their mugs and glasses.

John straightened his arm down, Sarah's hand gliding down to be caught by John's own hand to clasp and he pulled her behind him as he walked them into the crowd of dancing bodies. He glanced back at her, past the warm-lighted flushed faces of the dancers around them, face angled down coyly the young doctor-in-training's cheeks were stained self-effacingly. The hair that would have framed her face was pulled back and braided together resting on top of the rest of her wavy black locks at the back of her head. Her dress was a simple blue affair with little white flowers patterned on it, looking fresh and delicate though with short sleeves, baring most of her arms, and a modest scoop neck that was just little lower than her subtle collar bones.

The particular dance set finished and soon the woman on stage instructed all dancers into their next formation. Sarah and John joined the circle formation, clasping hands with each other and those next to them as per the woman's instructions as the dance began. The movements of the dance had everyone bobbing, sliding around each other, and appeared as starbursts as partners were switched, women circling men, people diverging and converging in serpentines around the opposite sex. People young and old smiled and laughed as the tempo of the music and dance quickened until soon some people couldn't keep up and scattered away from those who continued until finally the frantic musicians finished with a flourish. People laughed and cheered for the musicians and the few who remained until the end. Every participants' face was flushed; several went to take a break outside to cool off.

Sarah and John had not made it to the very end, but had quite the exhilarating experience. Sarah was trying to calm her breath and herself down, her heart still beating against her ribs, but no longer feeling as if it would burst when she had been dancing. The two went to the refreshments table, John poured them each some punch from the large punch bowl to cool themselves off.

Sarah finally managed to speak, saying her thanks and, "That was fun, what did you think? I assume you can't remember dancing from before here."

John looked down at her, his breathing had returned to normal, and with a smile he answered in his deep voice, "Yes, that was quite fun. Although I can't remember specifically dancing, it felt somewhat familiar."

"Well, it's an old folk dance so it's more than possible that it's not just isolated to here. Or even a variation of the dance," Sarah added, then took a sip of her drink.

John nodded thoughtfully as they looked out at the group of dancers, several who had not participated in the previous dance and many who had returned from cooling off. This time they were broken up into groups of eight, weaving around each other then creating a bridge of arms where the couple on the end went under them. They searched the crowd of dancers to see if there was anyone they recognized. They spotted a grinning Yidirik in one group and saw that Brittany and Lindsey had also joined in, dancing with boys who were probably encouraged to by their mothers by the way their faces looked, but they seemed to be enjoying it now.

"There's Kancia and that's her gentleman caller, I think his name is Farren," Sarah pointed out towards a group of dancers closest to the entrance. It wasn't too hard to spot the curled redhead and her large suitor, as she was petite he was a giant in comparison to her.

They joined in with the dancing, conversing with friends and acquaintances that were in the surging crowd when their positions allowed, drifting off and meeting others, everyone enjoying themselves. Even the stoic Fernot was dancing with his young wife, who, upon introduction between fellow co-workers at Peronel's farm, winked at John and Sarah (Yidirik had told everyone he knew all about John's discovery of the infamous red stick). John and Sarah kept their blushes to a minimum, which wasn't hard since everyone's faces were already glowing from the exertions of dancing.

On the sidelines they had seen Aunt Rena and Berin conversing with other women. The doctor saw them and gave them a brief wave and a warm smile before returning to the conversation.

A slow tempo song began, the first of its kind in the evening full of rousing, up-beat songs and couples drifted to each other, no long part of a group dance. John offered his metal right hand palm up to Sarah as way of a silent question, back straight but leaning forward slightly in a bow. Sarah answered slowly, but surely, placing her left hand in his upturned hand. The metal was cool as metal would be, but was somewhat warm from body heat. He lifted their joined hands up a bit as he reached with his left hand to Sarah's waist and Sarah lifted her right hand up to his shoulder. He gently pulled her body to his, settling his left hand lightly upon her back. They watched at each other as they swayed together to the music, a deep sounding stringed instrument drawn out into a low vibrato.

John's intense gaze embarrassed Sarah, who was not able to keep their eye contact and with a shy smile she looked instead to his shoulder. John blinked, he had not intended to discomfit his partner. He softened his gaze and leaned into her a bit to speak in her ear and whispered, "Have I told you that you look lovely tonight?"

She ducked her head and shook her head, then whispered back, "Thank you. And you look handsome tonight."

No, not the most original thing to say, but else could she have said? She was thunderstruck by her date, especially now in this slow dance. His warm hand pressed lightly into her back as they swayed, it put slightly more pressure, pulling her even closer, their distance was between polite and intimate. As it was, others who were in meaningful relationships had already pressed up to each other in the anonymity of the crowd. Sarah let the gentle music take her and rested her head on John's chest, they gently rocking, he leading them in circles, switching direction from time to time.

All too soon the music faded and couples parted to a more acceptable distance. Sarah missed being held in the embrace of that slow dance. They would have to see to it that they had another chance later.

The young doctor-in-training and her patient/love interest wandered towards the table of food and refreshments when a commotion broke out at the nearby alcohol sampling. Those near enough to hear turned their heads to see a bearded man swayed as he towered over the prone figure of a woman, who had curled up into a fetal position.

"Don't you dare tell me when I've had enough you whore!" the clearly inebriated man yelled, his face hot with drink and anger, cords in his neck stood out with the clenching of his jaws. People stood around in shock and uncomfortable silence. A man came up to the bearded one and put a hesitant hand upon his shoulder and nervously and quietly said to him, "There's no need for that here, don't do this here."

This seemed to anger the drunken man further as he threw up his arm to violently shake off the other man's hand as he yelled at him, the woman on the floor momentarily forgotten, "I'll do what the hell I want with my wife! It's none of your business!"

People backed away from the area, some watching in fascinated horror, others looking away as if embarrassed, but no one offering help. The barn was large enough that this incident had not yet caught the attention of everyone, but that would soon change as awareness spread like fire across the crowd as to what was happening. With a hard look on John's face he quickly made his way through the crowd, he was already very near in the first place as the food and refreshments were placed very near the alcohol.

Seeing that the other man wasn't offering up much resistance the drunk one turned his attention back to his victim, it was Tesna, the one who John had captured a goose for. She was trying to escape by crawling away on the packed dirt floor, avoiding looking at the others, no one helping her.

"Where the hell do you think you're goin'!"

"That's enough!"

Attention was turned to John who swiftly placed himself in between Tesna and her apparent husband. John had taken a quick glance at Tesna whose cheek and eye were already swelling and darkening.

"Who the hell are you?" the man slurred, he wore stained clothing, his lightly graying hair unkempt, probably from his aggressive movements.

"Who I am is of no consequence except that I will keep you from harming this woman any further! What dishonorable man are you to beat your own wife?" John asked, fury spreading through him, burning him while his exterior looked icy.

"Not yer damn business!" the man raged, his brown blood shot eyes glaring at him and with a yell he charged John. In a series of quick motions that had those that surrounded the scene unbelieving at the speed, John grabbed the fist that was coming towards him as he stepped to the side, tripping the drunk with a swipe of his foot and followed the man down, twisting the arm back and bent up. The dark haired man landed hard with a grunt, his arms chicken-winged behind him by John who had a knee pressed into the burly man's back.

"Get off me you freak!" shouted Tesna's husband, his weather lined face creased further by his snarl, struggling against John's hold on him, but then yelped and stilled for a moment when John put pressure up on his wrists.

By then some help had arrived as people began to move, making way for the local law enforcement. A balding, mustached man came, along with Dravel. The man with Dravel stared at John, slightly surprised, but also seeming to measure him up as they came next to the men on the ground.

"John, we'll take it from here," Dravel said gravely, putting a rough hand on the pinned man's arm. John nodded and when he was assured that the two newcomers had a firm grip on the drunk he release his hold and got up. Sarah had ran to get Berin when all this started and now they were treating the shaking Tesna on a bench nearby.

People stood around John in astonishment, impressed and shocked. He leveled a hardened glare at all who had witnessed the events in a daze and spoke loudly, anger barely kept from his voice, "Why did no one come to help Tesna?"

No one answered him, several looked guiltily at the floor, avoiding his encompassing gaze. Others looked bewildered.

"Don't any of you say you couldn't have done something! He was just one man, and look at all of you, you wouldn't needed to have fought, where were the people who could have pulled Tesna away? Where were the men who could have stopped her from being hit in the first place!" he shouted. He paused and collected himself when the man who had tried to talk with Tesna's husband earlier spoke, "Don't act all mighty. I did step forward! I tried to talk some sense into him."

John scowled at him and marched up to the man to within a meter range; the man took a step back, John's attention on him unnerving him. And John growled out, "And what? You told him to not do it here. Do you know what that says? You might as well have said that it was okay to beat your wife as long as it wasn't in public. What kind of feeble attempt is that? No one should live in fear that their own neighbors won't help; no one should experience such abuse. By the looks of it I doubt this was the first time something like this happened. She didn't even look for help among you."

Some in the crowd had the decency to look ashamed, a few, disturbingly, looked belligerent. John made his way through the dispersing crowd that stayed away from him and over to the bench where Berin and Sarah were comforting the shaking, battered woman. Sarah looked up at John in amazement, but she too did not escape the feeling of shame. It was true, their town had known of the abuse of Tesna, but had turned a blind eye to it. She had heard it whispered that the beatings had started almost soon after their marriage. She hadn't seen it, but she couldn't deny seeing the suspicious marks peaking out from under Tesna's sleeves at times, or even on her face, with the weak excuse of having fallen. She was sure her mother had treated her for a fractured wrist before.

Tesna avoided looking at their faces after glancing up at John then hid her eyes behind a curtain of brown hair that had been pulled loose from her hair tie.

John crouched down in front of the woman and with a soft voice asked, "Are you all right?"

She nodded and turned her head to the side and mumbled, "Thank you."

Berin spoke up, her voice gentle and kind, "Well now, let's get you cleaned up Tesna. You can stay at our home, we have plenty of open rooms. Also all my proper medicines are back there."

Tesna looked up at Berin, ready to protest, but Berin held her hand and began leading them outside and said in a voice that brooked no argument, "You will stay with us, and don't even think of refusing. You can't possibly go back to where you have been living. Never mind being near that brute."

Tesna meekly followed, allowing herself to be lead out of the old barn between the two doctors and followed up with John. Aunt Rena met them with Brittany and Lindsey in tow and spoke to Sarah's mother, "I've asked Addy to drive you all back home in his cart, he'll pull up over there," she pointed to the road next to the fence in the darkness of night.

Addy came up, a single horse drawing the cart. Sarah sat beside him while Berin, Tesna, and the girls sat in back. John walked ahead of them lighting the way with a lantern the older man had passed to him. He took the time to cool off and collect himself. He knew if there weren't people avoiding him for his looks, there were definitely going to be people staying away from him now. But that didn't matter, he meant what he had said and it was their problem if they disagreed. Besides, he would be leaving after winter. He just wondered where Berin and Sarah stood, but, and he looked over his shoulder at them, caring for the hunched over Tesna, he was sure there was no reason to doubt them. They were caring people and many people succumbed to the bystander effect no matter how much people thought they would act differently in such a situation. He was harsh with those who had surrounded him, but he took action and felt he had done something similar before.

The night was cool and the sky was clear, allowing stars to sparkle and be appreciated had it been any other time. Addy had blankets in the cart for his passengers to use against the chill of an autumn night. They finally arrived at the Ravenelious residence; John passed back the yellow glowing lantern back to the herbalist who in turn handed Sarah a jar.

"I don't know if you had enough bruise salve, thought it would be useful so I grabbed it on my way from bringing the horse and cart."

"Thank you Addy, we appreciate it very much," Sarah said, she leaned across the wooden bench and gave him a quick hug before stepping out and down from the cart with John's help after he had helped those in back of the cart to step down.

They waved with thanks to Addy who waved back and lead his horse with reins in one hand and lantern in the other on his way back. The group walked silently, even the girls sensing the somber mood of the adults. Sarah watched the sleepy girls cross their arms tightly in front of them and shiver, she too was cold. She gave a nod at John and picked up Brittany with a grunt, muttering how big she was getting; John picked up Lindsey and continued walking to the lit up front door, the large house invitingly warm.

The girls were taken to bed, Berin lead Tesna to an empty room in the same hall as John and the girls, the first room nearest to the stairs and water closet. Sarah, after tucking the girls in, joined her mother in the room with medical supplies and spare clothing they may need to treat their new guest. They closed the door behind them, Berin having Tesna sit on the edge of the covered bed. The light in the room wasn't too bright, but enough to see the damage done to her face. Berin pulled up the chair to sit in front of the woman in her early thirties.

"Do you have any other bruises or wounds other than on your face?" Berin asked her gently. Sarah stood quietly to the side, ready to assist in any moment should it be needed.

After a long moment and an indrawn breath Tesna gave a timid nod, not meeting them in the eyes. She was asked to remove her clothing and after some hesitation she allowed them to help remove her clothing. Sarah worried at her submissive behavior. It made what they were doing simple, but her spirit seemed to be crushed and nonexistent. The mother and daughter held in their gasp at the sight the followed the removal of Tesna's clothing. Faded yellowed bruises covered by fresh blackish blue ones covered her ribs; a greenish spot peeked out from the edge of her panties over one hip, and what appeared to be a hand print shape that circled her upper arm. They also noticed how her ribs were defined, and limbs were thin from what could only be malnourishment. The thin woman had her arms crossed in front of her chest and stared down at the floor, ashamed.

"My dear, we will fix you up. You will stay with us, there's no question," Berin said with conviction, "I'm going to examine your ribs, tell me if it hurts."

After the examination was completed and with the diagnoses that the ribs were only bruised and not cracked they spread the salve onto her many contusions and helped her dress into a night gown Sarah had brought for her. Berin had Sarah go retrieve some food also, Tesna wouldn't clearly answer when was the last time she ate anything substantial, but the way she ate what they offered her, again an action that she hesitated with a glance at them, spoke volumes.

"If you need anything at all don't hesitate to ask, we will be in our rooms downstairs, Sarah's is at the end of the hall next to the stairs and mine is the corner room next to my office across from the dining hall," Berin said and noticed the quiet woman's small frame begin to shake, tears creeping out of her eyes.

"Oh honey," Berin softly spoke, sympathy twined through her words as she stepped forward and enveloped the woman into her arms gently, not wanting to cause pain to the many spots that covered her body. She sat them down and stroked the brown hair, her own eyes starting to mist. Tesna sobbed into Berin's chest as a child would and brought her thin arms up and around the doctor, clutching onto her dress. Berin signaled Sarah with a look that she would take care of her. Sarah nodded, feeling awkward not being able to do anything more useful but cleaned up the materials and clothing. She heard her mother murmur comfortingly to the distraught woman and caught, "…never again..."