Rain

Your Secret is Safe With Me

The house was in uproar. Liliane had told all about the rebellion, though wisely omitting the truth about Uma and Muhammad's secret love. The servants were already hysterical, wringing their hands and beseeching their gods to keep them from harm's way and losing their only means of income. Calcutta was a large town-the British land would only provide enough for prominent Indians, General Fairfield had explained, and the spoils would go to them. The villagers-a vast majority-would be forced to work for their wealthy neighbors. The vicious cycle of rich and poor would continue, because of their rigid caste system that had been in place for hundreds of years. Nothing would be gained, it seemed; from a British perspective... but it appeared to me that deep down, the Indians did not really desire our perspective from the very beginning.

I followed suit to Liliane, and explained to her father what we'd heard. Uma, who had been in the room to ease Liliane out of hysteria, went pale at the story. Though I left out names, the place, and the household concerned, she knew of whom I spoke of. I was absolutely certain of that.

As for the General, I could read nothing of his reaction to my news in his face. His eyebrows went up and down throughout my recounting, but no other expression of emotion could be detected in his countenance. Liliane had confessed that she worried her father would be drafted, but her fears were refuted. "My child, I will not fight. Not against my brothers."

Of course, I was not surprised at the intensity in the General's voice. He possessed a strong love for India and the locals that inhibit it-he was more likely to fight for the Bengals than against them. As much as I had anticipated this outcome, I was still anxious about what would become of us. Any of the servants could turn on the family, if they found it in their interests to do so. If the Bengals decided to take hostages to fetch a ransom...

I pushed that thought away. I had learned of war strategies in boarding school. The teacher had been trying to encourage my class to become soldiers for her Majesty's army, relating tales of heroic hostage rescues, describing the valiance of those in civil service. But it did me no good. My father had been in the militia.

Practicality snapped into action before I managed to further reminisce. Given the circumstances, my uncle might choose to hurry our departure before tensions began to escalate. Surely Britain would have no objection to taking us back without hassle-they probably have not heard of the rumors yet, a letter by swift post takes at least a month before it can reach England. At dinner the general would probably tell my uncle and aunt of the circumstances. What about Liliane and her mother? Fear rose in my throat at the potential violence that men would accomplish under fierce oppression. The Bengals have had a pillar of resentment already, and a power struggle would light the smoldering flame. Angry men enjoyed taking advantage of the weaker, thinking it would build them up. I knew there was only cowardice in such thinking; to wield power over someone weaker than you. I could not leave Liliane to the evil spurred by hatred that would swallow her whole.

Everything was decided; then. In the middle of the Fairfield chaos, I vowed to protect this family and everything they owned, even if it meant dying for it. And I told the general so. "General Fairfield, sir, I promise to stay in Calcutta to protect your home and all who are in it, even if it should cost my life." The deepness of emotion and power in my voice overwhelmed me. At that moment I did not feel like I was 15 years old.

At first I expected General Fairfield to laugh at me. I thought he would brush me off and say I was but a child, and should not consider such foolishness. Liliane had dried her tears, and looked at me in a grave awe at what I had promised. Then she turned to her father to see how he would respond.

General Fairfield was a tall man; broad and swarthy, weathered by many an Indian sun. He brought himself up to his full height, side-stepping his desk and coming toward me all in one quick movement. My still-growing stature only reached his shoulder, but he looked straight into my eyes. Without looking down at me. "Evan Credel, I am honored by your vow. I will hold you to it; but remember-I will do the same for you."