Benjarmin's Story part I

I was just a young boy at the field looking out for weeds amongst the crop. Whenever I would find one I would take the outmost care in getting rid of it. The sun was setting and I sighed with relief as the air cooled down from the hot summer day. I was excited as the skies were becoming more clear as the summer went on. That meant that there would be more stars to see at night. As a young boy I loved looking to the stars above, often romanticizing about them. I wiped my brow after pulling out a rather stubborn weed and looked to the setting sun and saw a group of men in worn armor walking up to his home. "Dad!" I yelled out. My father came out from the house looking towards me quizzically. I pointed to the group of men, and father look worried. "Stay there boy." said father and then walked cautiously to the group. I didn't sense no ill will from the group. In fact they seemed to be a bit merry. I watched father as he approached them. I could see relief on his face as he began to talk them. I heard them laugh and father looked to me and beckoned me over. I jogged to him smiling and went to stand by his side. My father put his hands on my shoulders. Father spoke up "I am Tim Yorick, and this is my son Benjarmin. We call him Ben for short." What appeared to be the leader of the group smiled at me and said "He looks strong like a horse." Father responded with "He works like one too." Then father and the group of men then bellowed out in laughter. I then finally spoke and said "Who are you? Why are you here?" The leader smiled again. "Inquisitive aren't ya? Well me and my friends here have banded together to patrol the country side of Bree. We are watchers from Bree-town. Normally we keep close to the towns and roads, but me and my men here believe that we should look out for the people in the countryside as well. Ones that do not see a lot of visitors. I would nod acting like I understood but in fact I didn't. I did not know the workings of the world outside my family's farm. I was just happy to see someone else that was not family. Father would pat me on the shoulder and bow his head to the Watchers. "Well we are having no trouble here, nothing to worry about. Why don't you come on inside for a drink. I am sure you and your men are thirsty."The leader shakes his head "Don't worry it's fine. We are glad that you are safe, we need to get going. We are heading to Staddle, then to Combe."  Father laughed and shakes his head. "Come now. Don't pass on my wife's homemade ale. She will skin my hide if she found out that I didn't bring you fine men into our home and at least give you something to drink." The leader would look to his men and most of his men would nod and a couple would just shrug their shoulders. He looked back to father and nod his approval. "Alright you had me at ale" He laughed and pat his chest in merriment. I walked toward the house leading them where mother would be finishing up making supper. I put my hands up to my mouth and yelled out "Mum! We have visitors. They want to try your ale" I heard "Bugger" yelled from the house and then a commotion as mum was most likely hustling about, getting the drinks ready. As I entered the house I could smell the food mum was making. It smelt wonderful as the house always does. Mum was running about trying to get the drinks ready. I smiled as I sneaked up behind her and give her a great big hug and lift her up from the ground. Mum would yell out in surprise and then would smack my hands as soon as she knew it was me. "Damn it Ben! I am your mother, put me down now!" I kiss her on the cheek and say "I love ya mum. Sit down, and I will take care of the drinks." I would awkwardly carry her over to the table and set her on a chair. She would sigh and put a hand on the side of my face. "Oh Benny Boy your so good to your mum. I love you boy." My smile would get bigger and give her another kiss and hug. I then went to getting the drinks ready for the men and my father. Father finally came in with some of the other men. They could not all come in as our house was not big enough. They also had to share their drinks as we did not have enough cups as well. Though they didn't seem to mine and were quite grateful. I eventually learned that Leader was called Brantley from my father talking to him and his men. I made sure that everyone got to drink. Not only father, but mother too also enjoyed the watchers company. It finally quieted down and it was time for the men to go. Father was outside shaking hands with Brantley "Thank you so much for your hospitality Tim. My men and I really appreciated it." My father would nod his head and then say "I hope your journey is a safe one." Brantley smiles at my father and pats him on the shoulder. He bows his head in return and leads his group away from the farm. I waved good-bye to them. Father looks to them as they slowly walk away from sight. "Come on Ben, time for bed. We have a hard day ahead of us tomorrow"  I nodded and say"Of course father. I will get right to bed." In the middle of the night I groggily wake up from hearing some loud noises from the kitchen. I then fully awake after hearing my mother scream. I run quickly to the kitchen only to see my father dead on the floor with blood all around him. His neck was cut open and blood pouring all out. He was trying to gasp for air, but he only got blood. I looked up to see who had done this. It was done by a tall burly man dressed in dark clothes, it looked and smelled like he didn't bathe for months. I then heard my mother scream again and looked toward heard and saw another man but he was small compared to the other man. He had my mother up against the fall tearing at her clothes. I saw red and ran towards him. I then suddenly saw darkness as the tall burly man knocked me to the ground with just his fist. My mother screamed again. "Please! Don't hurt my baby! I promise....I promise I will do anything just as long as you don't hurt my baby." I was regaining my consciousness as the tall burly man began to laugh. I looked around me for some kind of weapon, I saw a shovel leant up against the wall near the door. The tall man walked to me as he talked to my mother. "You are gonna do what we say either way woman. Your man is dead, and now your son shall be joining him." I had grabbed hold of the shovel and swung it at him. He had just turned to face me as the edge of the shovel sliced across his neck. I watch in horror as the man grabbed at his throat and blood comes pouring out of the cut I had made with the shovel." I heard a scream and then a thud. I felt something in my chest, and then fell to my knees. I looked at my chest and saw a knife in it. I was confused and the floor began to spin. Then darkness completely took over.