[ The chapter shows the method that company took to control India. Rudra is used to illustrate how rulers either stepped down for wealth, people, or their own lives. it leads the protagonist of our story to words his Question of moral dilemma. ]
Afternoon, when the sun is above our heads. Keeping an eye on all of us watching over all being big and small. While everyone in the village was either resting or doing chores inside their homes. There was a loud sound of horse steps that caused everyone to rush out of their homes.
One hundred white soldiers were waiting with guns ready to shoot any person who entered their line of vision. The soldiers had come to see what had become of the soldiers sent to this village. He was confident that they weren't in his village, so he gave them permission to check every home in it.
Characters in a book, a novel, or a fairytale understand each other without communicating with each other because the mind behind each of them is one. however, this is not the case. In reality It is impossible to understand what the other thinks without communicating with them.
Rudra believed he knew the villagers. They wouldn't hurt anyone. Villagers thought that they could not let them leave after disrespecting their head. They were both right yet so wrong at the same time.
The company's army found the missing soldiers with their mouths shoved up and their hands tied.
"You made the mistake of going against us, even though we warned about the consequence!" said William Marks, the leader of the troop. Rudra had no answer. Soldiers were found tied in their village. The actor had no bearing on him. His only thought was to save them.
Rudra replied, "What do you want? I'll do as you say if you promise never to touch any of the villagers.". As greedy as they come, William asked for all of his property, including the jewelry he was wearing. In exchange for the lives of his people, Rudra said, "So be it.".
He left the village with his wife Ganga and the bamboo cane his grandfather had given him as a last gift. Everyone cried and begged them not to leave. They promised to fight and take everything back. With tears in their eyes, those who captured the soldiers asked for forgiveness. That night in the village, no fires were lit.
Ganga had never walked so much in her life. Her legs hurt due to walking miles, the scorching sun burned her eyes and turned her soft lips into dry leaves. She never complained, not even one time because her heart hurt much more than her legs ever could. Seeing Rudra lose everything in a matter of seconds and yet smile as if nothing had happened masking the pain of not knowing what his villagers were going through.
Had Rudra smiled because he had reassured his people's safety even after he was gone? Could he be smiling at the irony of life that made him walk miles for shelter after giving shelter to others? Did he want to tell Ganga that as long as she walked with him, nothing bothered him? Perhaps he wanted to conceal the pain of separation from his beloved villagers? Ganga had a hundred questions, but she chose to remain silent.
A bull cart with a few passengers came from behind and stopped by their side. "Please come with us. It appears that we are heading in the same direction and there is no village for about 10 miles." said one of them. As he gave her his hand to support her, he said, "Ganga, let's go.".
"I am Virbahadur this is Shivnarayan that is Gangadhar, and she is Maya. We are yogis travelling along the way." one of them introduced themselves. Their clothes were white and saffron and their feet were dirty. Even if they hadn't introduced themselves as yogis, one could tell who they were.
Rudra introduced Ganga, my wife. "The zami...," he cut off abruptly "Travelers going to meet our relative."
Rudra's thoughts were clearly visible to Ganga. Her heart hurt when she saw him in pain, yet she was unable to help.
As Shivnarayan smiled, he said, "You don't look like travelers. It's a sin to lie to a yogi.". Rudra apologised. "I just lost my Zamindari to the company. Haven't got used to it yet." He responded with a sad smile. Saddening not because he had lost everything and felt bad about it but because he didn't.
"So will you join Fateh Bahadur Sahi in his rebellion against the company with other zamindars?" Asked Maya. "Events in Madras have given people the courage to fight against them.". "A rebellion?" repeated Ganga.
"Yes, devi, a rebellion is brewing in Bihar: Fate Bahadur Sahi and other Zamindars are planning to take over. They're tired of the company's rule."said Shivnarayan " The company has had enough of them as well. They aren't delivering revenue collections and making it impossible for the company to manage them."
Rudra inquired, "Will the four of you join his army?" Maya replied that wars are never fought only on one front. As Virbahadur sensed something supernatural from Rudra, he invited Rudra to join them.
His grandfather taught him more than just attending to the needs of his villagers and being kind to others. His grandfather had studied Tantra from a well renowned university of tantra. He had achieved one of the ten mahavidyas. The night of illusion and power to dominate his opponents straight from his 'kuldevi' Matangi. It was forbidden to share this knowledge with others, and one could only impart it to their most trusted pupil.
As Rudra had experienced that the traveling yogis may have sensed his power, he restricted their conversation to the village they were passing through. They reached their destination soon after.