Evan began preparing for the journey, it would be two months until his departure to India and so he began working out the unfinished business.
He met his friends, bought all the necessary things he would need during the voyage, got a checkup from the doctor, packed some basic medicines for emergencies, and at last, he began reading more information on the current political situation in India.
At this point, The British East India Company had conquered most of India. The Deccan plateau, southern territory, and most of Eastern India as well. Bengal was an important trade and central junction for British India. Their headquarters at that time was also in Bengal.
Evan's packing was done and he was studying the documents sent to him by the crown about the duties that he would be performing. The most shocking news that he had received was that India was officially going to be announced as a British colony and the Rule would be transferred to the crown from the company.
Knock Knock
Two knocks sounded and the door was opened, Evan's little sister came inside the study and sat beside him. Evan kept aside the documents that he was holding and looked at Eva.
"Brother, when will you come back?" Eva asked somewhat hesitantly.
"Who knows, but I will have to be there for some years," Evan said as he patted her head affectionately.
"B-but brother.... can you not go?" Eva asked as she looked down. Her eyes were about to burst out into tears.
Evan held her shoulders tightly and looked at her with concern. He asked,
"What happened? Why should I not go?" Evan asked as he tried to comfort his sister
"That is... i- I heard those people are uncivilized and barbaric! they killed so many of our people! What if...." Eva said with teary eyes.
"Nothing will happen to me okay? I am the governor! who would dare hurt me? And I will have many brothers there who will be there for help." Evan said as he fondled Eva's brown hair.
"But..." Eva uttered in a tiny squeak.
"Alright, I will send you many letters. I will also send you some jewelry. What do you say?" Evan said smilingly.
"Okay! but stay safe brother." Eva said and left.
Evan chuckled and shook his head and then he again drowned himself in the paperwork.
Two months passed in a flash. Evan was ready to leave for the Port Of London where the passenger ship would take him and his few soldiers to India.
His whole family was ready to go to the port with him and say their goodbyes. Evan was fully ready. He wore a coat over a shirt and a black British hat over his head.
A servant knocked and came into his room. Evan's room was neat and clean with all things in their rightful places. On his bed were a few big suitcases.
"Master Evan, Your father wishes to see you," The servant lady who was in her late 60s said and left as she closed the door gently.
Evan was curious as to what his father wanted to talk about now when he didn't make any effort to converse in the past two months.
Evan finished what he was doing quickly and went to see his father. His father's room was on the ground floor, it was a master bedroom that was very spacious. The room's door was made out of expensive mahogany wood and even after so many years, showed no signs of decay.
Evan inhaled deeply when he got outside his father's door. He gently knocked twice. The sound of a little grown and moving about came from inside and a deep voice sounded out,
"Come in,"
Evan pushed the door that was already open. He looked at the room that he had seen countless times. The room was neatly kept just like his, but two rifles were hung on the wall with the horns of the deer above them.
Evan still remembered how his father was much livelier and proud before when he was a child. But then he was also sent to another land just like him and when he came home he just looked tired.
Evan remembered the day clearly when his father had hunted the deer himself and drought back its horns as the spoils.
The room was also adorned with expensive furniture and a classic fireplace. There were also a few beautiful and artistic paintings hung on the other walls.
Evan went ahead in front of his father who was sitting on the comfort chair. His father looked at him the way he usually did.
"Sit down," Sir Hudson said gesturing at the chair beside him.
Evan sat down on the chair and waited for Sir Hudson to begin. Hudson just stared into the air as if reminiscing on memories and trying to find the right words. Evan did not interrupt and simply waited.
A few moments passed, and Hudson finally got out of the daze and looked at his son.
"You have done well. You made this house and family proud." Hudson said with a slight smile that was almost unnoticeable.
"Thank you father," Evan said
Hudson let out a sigh and opened his mouth to speak again,
"Do you know why I was 'retired?'" Hudson said with a solemn face.
"Huh? Didn't you choose to retire?" Evan said he was caught off-guarded by the question.
"I was also posted in another land just like you were. There I saw how we, the British ruled over those nations. I won't tell you what exactly happened as you must have at least heard something about how things work. You will know more when you reach beyond the seven seas anyway." Hudson said.
"When I was there, I did not like what was happening even though it did well for our nation. I protested and tried to change the system, and that's how I was 'retired'. Just remember this... if there comes a time when you must make a decision, then do what your heart and conscience tell you."
Hudson said and stood up from the chair and left the room leaving behind Evan with his confused and doubtful thoughts.