Chapter 37: Disguise Removed

Seeing a fierce looking Kalamugan in the middle of the forest, at the dead of the night, was a fearsome prospect but Vandiya Devan’s natural fearlessness asserted itself after a while.

He wondered, “Where have I seen him? He looks very familiar. Ah! He looks like the same Kalamugan who had commented about him when he was sleeping in the forest after meeting Nandini at Harichandra River. His face looks too familiar. Why? Where else have I seen him?”

The Kalamugan who had been staring at him for a while now burst into a hearty laugh.

“Ha Ha Ha!” To Vandiya Devan’s ears, his voice too seemed very familiar.

“Cha! It’s you. I can’t believe that I came all the way in the middle of the night through this forest, for you!” Vandiya Devan’s suspicion deepened. It seemed as though the Kala Mugan was deliberately trying to disguise his voice.

“Then why did you come and for whom?”

“I came in search of the Prince.”

“Which Prince?”

“How does it concern you? Why do you ask?”

“I too am a Prince. That’s why I asked.”

“You? A Prince? Let me see. Yes! There! It says so right on your face.”

“I think my face is any day better than yours unless you wish to improve upon it by adding matted beards and dreadlocks.”

“Why don’t you try it? It might indeed improve your appearance.”

“I thought so too…”

“What did you think?”

“Nothing. Just untie me. I too will join your group and become a Kalamugan.”

“No thanks. We don’t need any more spies in our group. It’s because of spies like you that our Maha Sangam meeting ended in a sham.”

“What happened?”

“We were waiting for the Prince to come for our meeting. We thought that once he becomes the king, he would pledge to make our leader the Raja Guru of the Cholas (Spiritual Head). But he didn’t come for the meeting.”

“Untie me and I will tell you why your Prince didn’t come.”

“Which Prince?”

“Who else? King Gandarathidhar’s son Prince Madhuranthakan.”

“My guess is right.”

“What did you guess?”

“I guessed that you were a spy.”

“How did you guess that rightly?”

“When I came searching for the Prince, I saw a group of people through the forest path. I didn’t know who they were. They probably thought that you were a spy and that’s why they tied you to that pillar but I can’t believe that they left you alive. I wonder why?”

“I can tell you why if you untie me.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything and I will not untie you unless you promise to listen to whatever I tell you.”

“What should I do?”

“You should promise me that henceforth you will not interfere in matters that do not concern you and then hold your ears and do thopukaranam for 108 times!”

“Is that so?”

Even while Vandiya Devan was engaging the Kalamugan in this conversation he had been busy untying himself. When the Kalamugan asked him to do thopukaranam he had freed himself completely and he sprang upon him and pushed him to the ground. The fire log that he held in his hand fell down but didn’t get extinguished. Vandiya Devan sat on the Kalamugan’s chest and pulled at his beard and hair that came away in his hand. The Kalamugan who had by then recovered from this surprise attack pushed Vandiya Devan away and got up. Vandiya Devan immediately took the fire log and held it to his face and was not surprised to see the familiar face of Azwarkadiyan Nambi beaming at him. They both burst out laughing.

“Vaishanavarey! How come you are lecturing me about not interfering in other people’s business when you are doing the same?”

“I didn’t court danger like you do. If I had not come here at the nick of the time, imagine what would have happened to you?”

“Oh! So you think that it was you who had untied my ropes?”

“No, but you can’t leave this forest without someone guiding you. You would have been hunted by wolves.”

“Forget the wolves. If you had but seen the Mandiravadi’s wolves a little while ago… it’s a blessing that I escaped them unscathed.”

“I know about them. Who else came with the Mandiravadi?”

“A small fish had come along with him and it wanted to devour a tiger.”

“Aha! Tell me what happened? Who came? What did they do? What happened?”

“You tell me why you wore this disguise? Where were you this evening? What happened there? If you tell me about that I will tell you what happened here?”

“I have nothing much to tell you. The Kalamugars had a meeting in the midnight by the Kollidam River. I wore this disguise to the meeting to see what’s happening there. I had thought that I would meet you near the ferry in the morning. Periya Pazhuvetarayar came for the meeting and the supreme Guru of Kalamugars too came but the one person that they were expecting didn’t come.”

“They were expecting Prince Madhuranthakar isn’t it?”

“Yes… but how do you know?”

“If Prince Madhuranthakar ascends the throne, I wonder how he can control this kingdom…”

“Why do you say so?”

“He can’t control a horse, then how can we expect him to control rebel lords like Pazhuvetarayar, bloodthirsty Kalamugars and skirmishing Vaishnavars like yourself…”

Azhwarkadiyan laughed out aloud and asked, “Did you meet Madhuranthakar on the way? Do you know what happened to him?”

Vandiya Devan narrated what he saw early in the evening about Madhuranthakar on the horse that bolted in fear when the firelog came near.

“Poor Prince! I wonder where he is right now. I wonder where he fell when the horse bolted wildly. He might even be in danger of his life. That’s why he didn’t come for the Maha Sangam meeting today. Shall we go and search for him again?”

“Very nice! How does that concern us? Are we not on a mission to reach Kanchi as soon as possible? Come now. Let us leave immediately. We need to be at Kollidam River by dawn.”

“What if Madhuranthakar was lying in the fields or in the dead of the forest drenched in rain and mud? What if he is dying? Then too will you say that it’s none of our business?”

“You are imagining too much. These things will not happen. Anirudhar will take care of it.”

“Prime Minister Anirudhar? What does he know about this?”

“Aha! How can you say that? Anirudhar knows everything that happens in this Kingdom.”

“Then… he also knows what happened in Kadambur Palace.”

“Do you remember we both stood by the road in Kadambur, while Pazhuvur queen’s palanquin passed us by?”

“Of course. I also remember how excited and restless you got when the screen of the Palanquin opened and you asked me to give her a message.”

“And you thought that I intended to send some ‘love message’ to the Pazhuvur queen and admonished me saying, ‘How dare I ask you to do this sort of work?’ My message had no such love. Instead, I wished to warn Madhuranthakar, not to be taken in by the words of these rebel lords.”

“You knew even then that it was Prince Madhuranthakar inside the palanquin.”

“I had a doubt and it got confirmed when the Prince peeked outside. You are a close-mouthed fellow. No matter how much I tried, you never revealed to me that it was not Nandini but the Prince inside the palanquin.”

“You too are close-mouthed. Did you tell me where you were going when I asked you so many times in the afternoon?”

“If I had told you, you would have interfered in that matter as well. As such you courted so much trouble. Henceforth…”

“Does the Prime Minister know about the meeting that the Kalamugars had and the impending arrival of Prince Madhuranthakar?”

“Of course he knew! That’s why he sent me to attend the meeting. At the same time, he also would have sent somebody else to ensure that the Prince does not attend the meeting. You said that some servant held the firelight and that had frightened the horse; he was probably Anirudhar’s man. If the horse had thrown the prince somewhere in the forest, be rest assured he would have been rescued by the Prime Minister's men soon enough. By now, the Prince would be on his way to Thanjavur in a palanquin or a chariot. Come! Let us go.”

“Vaishnavarey! I can’t come.”

“What is this? What about our mission? I heard the news that the Prince has already left Kanchi. Shouldn’t we be hurrying along to intercept him before he reaches Kadambur…”

“You can give the message that Princess Kundavai has sent for her brother. Prince Karikalar is not like Madhuranthakar. He won’t be travelling by palanquin in the night, it wouldn’t be that difficult to meet him…”

“And what do you plan to do instead?”

“To tell the truth, I didn’t follow Madhuranthakar into the forest. I was following somebody else and I came upon the Prince by a coincidence.”

“I know a bit of astrology, shall I test it on you? The person that you were following was a woman, wasn’t it?”

“You truly have a wicked tongue and one of these days I am going to break that head of yours…”

“You can’t do that. I have already pledged this head of mine to a Kalamugan. Now you tell me who is this woman that you were following from Kudanthai?”

“Kodumbalur Princess Vanathi came to Kudanthai Jodhidhar’s house. She left his house on her palanquin. I too left the Jodhidhar’s house after some time. I had no intention of following that crazy girl anywhere but the direction of our path was the same and I could see her palanquin being carried at a distance. That’s when I saw her being attacked by a group of men. They tied her companion to the tree and had driven away the palanquin bearers. Then they bore the palanquin away. Vaishnavarey! I am very worried about that girl. I want to find out what happened to her?”

“Why are you so worried about that girl?”

“How can you say that? She is after all the only daughter of Kodumbalur Siriya Vellar – the great warrior who lay down his life for the honour of Cholas. She is also the cherished companion of Princess Kundavai and there was also the rumour that she is the chosen bride of Ponniyin Selvar…”

“Ponniyin Selvar is dead and drowned in the sea… what is the point of discussing about his marriage?”

“There is nothing to prove that he is dead… it’s just a rumour.”

“Then, in that case, you know for sure that he is alive?”

“Vaishnavarey! If you think that I will blurt out secrets to you, then you better forget it.”

“Alright! Alright! I will not ask you anything. Don’t worry about Vanathi. Princess Kundavai loves her very much…”

“That’s exactly why I am worried. Princess Kundavai doesn’t know that Vanathi is in such a danger.”

“If not today, she will know it tomorrow.”

“What’s the point? What if the Kalamugars sacrifice this girl at their altar to please their God?”

“You said that Kalamugars took Vanathi along?”

“That’s how it looked. Vanathi’s companion also described them as Kalamugars.”

“If that is true then you don’t have to worry about it at all. Kodumbalur clan are great patrons of Kalamugars. If they come to know that Vanathi is the Kodumbalur Princess they will accord royal treatment to her and offer her protection.”

“Really! I didn’t know that?”

“That’s why Kalamugars are strongly protesting against Prince Madhuranthakar as the next heir.”

“Who cares if these skull bearing dreadlock Sanyasis protests against the Prince?”

“That’s all you know. In this kingdom, many influential and prominent clans and lords are patrons of Kalamugars. Many army commanders belong to their sect. That’s why Pazhuvetarayar is courting their good will to support Madhuranthakar’s claim but that got foiled thanks to a horse. Now then, are you going to come with me or not?”

Vandiya Devan hesitantly got up and untied his horse from the nearby tree and followed Azhwarkadiyan through the dense forest path. After a long while, they came out of the forest and found their way to the King’s road. Azhwarkadiyan looked up and pointed at the sky to Vandiya Devan. They could see the entire length and breath of the comet that had stretched from one end of the sky to the other. As they looked at it a cold wind blew across them and they could see a lone dog howling and crying at some distance.

Chapter 36: Someone in the Dark!

Nandini accepted the sword from the child whom they called ‘Chakravarthy’ and held it close to her heart. Next, she embraced the child and breathed the scent of his hair while tears streamed from her eyes.

The rest of the gang looked on in surprise and shock, at the turn of the events.

Ravidasan then said, “Devi, I don’t think that ‘Chakravarthy’ has understood what we told him and gave the sword to you on a whim. Let us explain to him the consequences of his action and then try again.”

Nandini opposed the suggestion and said, “No, Ayya, no. Our Chakravarthy understands the consequences of his actions and that’s why he gave the sword to me. Do not worry about these tears of mine. I am merely happy that I have been given the opportunity to take vengeance for our noble king.”

“Devi, when we are alive, how could we allow a woman to try to take on the first enemy. It isn’t right…” said Soman Sambavan.

“There is no cause to worry. This is my burden and my responsibility. Just because Chakravarthy has given the sword to me that doesn’t mean that the rest of you have no part in this. I want half of you to take Chakravarthy back to Pandavar mountains and the rest can come to Kadambur palace. Those of you who can gain entry into the palace can aid me in this mission of vengeance and the rest can wait outside with fast running horses. Once I complete the mission, we need to make an attempt to escape.”

Ravidasan came forward and said, “Devi, I forgot to tell you something if you permit.”

“Pazhuvetarayar is at the Kalamugar council meeting that is being held at the Kollidam River. I need to return to the Palace before the meeting ends.”

“You said that our first enemy Aditya Karikalan would come to Kadambur Palace. I am not so sure about it.”

“Why do you doubt so?”

“With reason Devi. I know for a fact that Princess Kundavai and Prime Minister Anirudhar have sent messages to the Crown Prince warning him not to come to Kadambur Palace at any cost.”

“Did you think that I didn’t know about this?”

“You knew! Despite that you believe that he will come to Kadambur?”

“Yes. He will surely come to Kadambur. That snake in Pazhaiarai doesn’t know about her own brother and nor does Anbil Brahmarakshan (Demon). I am surprised that even you, who often boast of being a sorcerer, can’t fathom our first enemy’s character. If someone were to go to Aditya Karikalan and tell him that ‘not’ to do something, that would be the first thing that he would go ahead and do. I know this for a fact. Aditya Karikalan is not a putty in Kundavai’s hand like Arul Mozhi Varman and nor is he a cowardly puppet like Madhuranthakan. If his sister and the Prime Minister have sent the message warning him to stay away from Kadambur, then for sure he would come there.”

“Devi, that message will not reach Kanchi. I can guarantee that.”

“What are you saying? Explain.” Asked Nandini sharply. There was a shrill anticipation in her voice.

“Devi, do you know who is taking this message to Karikalan?”

“Not for sure but I can guess.”

“Good! There is no need to guess. We have brought him here. We caught him red-handed trying to escape with our ‘Chakravarthy’. He already knows all our secrets and now he knows more. If we show any more mercy to him it would lead to our destruction for sure. Edupankari! Bring that spy here.”

Edupankari and two others went towards the dilapidated temple. Nandini looked at the direction with bated breath. The serious tones of her face relaxed and a seductive smile bloomed.

Edupankari sprang on our hero suddenly and pulled him upright. Tired, exhausted and half drowsy with sleep, Vandiya Devan woke up with a start. At first, he thought of resisting Edupankari and his friends and then good sense prevailed. He stayed still and allowed himself to be led to the clearing. He wanted to see what they would do with him.

Vandiya Devan smiled at Nandini, who looked peaceful and serene with nary an emotion on her face.

“Ayya… yet again we meet.”

“Yes devi, I have come again, but I didn’t come here by choice.”

The child then told Nandini, “Amma! This man has got a good horse. Can you ask him to give it to me?”

“Child! Come with me. I will take you far away on my horse.”

Ravidasan’s enraged face loomed in front of Vandiya Devan and he shouted hoarsely, “You! Shut your mouth!” and then he turned towards Nandini and said, “Devi, what are your orders?”

Nandini was unperturbed by this exchange, she calmly asked, “How did he come here and when?”

“This scoundrel was trying to escape with our ‘Chakravarthy’ when he took refuge in a mandapam to get away from the rain. Thankfully we arrived there on time to stop it.”

Nandini looked at Vandiya Devan and asked, “Ayya, is this true?”

“Only you can decide whether your people speak lies or the truth. How would I know?” he said.

Nandini’s smile vanished immediately and she became serious. She turned towards Ravidasan and said, “Ayya! I request you and your men to withdraw for a while and give us some privacy. I wish to speak to him alone. Take Chakravarthy also along with you.” And then she bent down and told the child, “My sweet! Go with them for a little while. I will speak to him and get his horse for you.”

Ravidasan acceded to her request and took the child with him and signalled his gang to withdraw to a respectful distance.

Nandini looked at Vandiya Devan and said, “Ayya! I think there is a bond between us…”

“Devi, That is so true! That bond is very strong and very tight indeed and it has bound my body and arms.”

“I would suggest that you stop fooling around thus. I am no mood for such humours! Tell me plainly, how did you come here? Did you come on your own accidentally or deliberately?”

“I didn’t come here by choice or on my own. Your men brought me here. If they had not interfered I would have reached the banks of Kollidam hours ago,”

“I understand that you find it abhorrent to your senses to meet me and you want to leave me and escape as soon as you can.”

“You are wrong. Meeting you is by no means, a difficult proposition but leaving you is. If you say ‘yes’ I will strike down that old Pazhuvetarayar and this murderous gang of thieves with one stroke of my sword and take you away from here.”

“Where would you take me?”

“I will take you to your mother who roams through the forests of Elangai like a mad woman.”

Nandini sighed sorrowfully and said, “Do you want me to roam around like her lost and helpless? Who knows I might even agree to your proposal and come away with you? If I need to see my mother, I will surely request you, one day but before that my wishes need to be fulfilled. Will help me fulfil them?”

“Devi, If I know what you wishes are, then I can tell you whether I can help fulfil them or not?”

“Those who bear true love for me in their hearts will not talk thus. They will agree to help no matter what those wishes are.”

“Devi, those who bear true love in their hearts will also try to warn you about the dangerous path that you are treading. These scoundrels are using you to fulfil some dangerous scheme and will abandon you once they achieve their purpose.”

“Wrong! It is I who is using them to achieve my purpose. I wish that you understand this well.”

“They have brought this child from some forest and are fooling you with lies and falsehoods…”

“Do you know why we need this child?”

“You wish to crown him as the King of Pandyas.”

“Wrong! He will not be just the King of Pandyas. He will rule over the land from River Tungabhadra to Elangai. He will ascend the Chola throne and rule over this kingdom.”

“My God! What a grand scheme indeed? May I ask, how you are going to achieve this? Let me guess! With the help of this gang of murderers and thieves? Do you know that each wing of Chola army has over 20 lakhs of soldiers? And do you think you can vanquish such a great army with the help of this gang that hides itself during the day and comes out bravely during the night?”

“I don’t depend only on them. I have this sword. I have more trust in this than anybody else. I intend to fulfil my wishes with the help of this sword.”

“Devi, you will never use that sword. Your hands do not have the strength to wield a sword, such as this.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I don’t know. I felt that you wouldn’t be able to use the sword.”

 “I can prove your statement false, right here, right now.”

“If that is so, then I am lucky indeed. It would be my good fortune to die at the hands of a beautiful woman.” Said Vandiya Devan and bent his head inviting Nandini to behead him.

“You wish to get beheaded? Truly? Don’t want to get crowned by me?”

“How many people do you intend to crown Devi?”

“I have the power to decide who get to wear the crown.”

“Then, what will happen to this child?”

“It is entirely within my power to decide whether I want to crown him or not.”

“Devi, feel free to crown whomsoever you wish but do spare me the honour.”

“Why?”

“Many have complimented the beauty of my curling locks of hair. I do not wish to cover it with a crown.”

“Looks like you will not ever get serious about anything. Alright! Do tell me one thing? What did Princess Kundavai do when she heard that her brother is missing in the sea? Did she grieve a lot?”

Vandiya Devan was astonished by the sudden change of subject. Nonetheless, he recovered quickly and said, “Of course. She was very sad. I don’t think all women are heartless in this world.”

“I also heard that Kodumbalur Princess tried to give up her life by drowning in the lake? Who saved her in the end?”

This reminded Vandiya Devan about Vanathi’s fate in the forest. He wondered what might have happened to her and whether she would have escaped the clutches of her kidnappers.

Nandini persisted with her questions in a serious tone. “Alright! Looks like you will not answer any of those questions. Let me ask you plainly. Do you intend to stop Princes Aditya Karikalar from coming to Kadambur?”

“Yes. I am going to try.”

“What if I tell you that it would be impossible for you to do so?”

“Devi, I am not saying that I can do it, I can only attempt to stop him. If the Prince decides to do something, it is impossible to change his mind.”

“You seem to know the Prince’s character all too well.”

“And you seem to know him better than anybody else in this world.”

“Alright! No matter what, you will not join me will you? You will take sides with my enemy.”

“Devi, who is your enemy?”

“Who is my enemy? Don’t you know? That arrogant Princess in Pazhaiarai is my enemy. Who else?”

“Devi, that’s your imagination. I need to tell you an important truth about…”

“Enough! Save your breath. I know what kind of truth would come out of your mouth. The only truth that you can utter is the one that is coated with falsehoods and lies.” Said Nandini angrily and clapped her hands. Ravidasan and his gang came near them.

Vandiya Devan felt that he had not used the opportunity of a private talk with Nandini to impress the truth upon her. He wondered whether she would ask her men to kill him.

Oh! God! Is this your will? Will I be killed ingloriously in the hands of this murderous gang?

Ravidasan and his gang surrounded them and to Vandiya Devan they resembled hungry wolves intent upon their prey.

“My Queen! No matter what you tell him, he will never join us. I suggest that you leave now. It is way past the time you return. We will sacrifice him in this holy battlefield and leave.”

“Mandiravadi! Be warned! That is not what I wish. Do not lay a hand upon him. If you do, I will cut you into half with this sword of mine.” Growled Nandini.

Ravidasan and his gang watched Nandini’s aggression with open-mouthed astonishment. 

“I do not want him harmed. He is useful to me in more ways than you can fathom. He is free to leave whenever he wishes. Please do not stop him.”

“Devi, we are here to carry out your wishes but is it advisable to allow him to leave first? He has a horse.”

“Alright! Tie him to that pillar. It will take a while before he unties himself and by then we would have cleared the forest.”

Acceding to her wishes, Ravidasan’s gang tied him to the pillar of the temple and his horse was tied to a nearby tree.

Nandini got into her palanquin and was borne away through the dense forest path. Ravidasan’s men took the throne inside the temple and then hurried away through the same forest path. With no firelight, the darkness enveloped Vandiya Devan and soon he began to wonder whether all these scenes that he witnessed were a figment of his imagination.

A few bats took flight from the nearby tree completing the eerie picture of forest to the hilt.

A lone wolf howled at some distance and soon it was heard nearby. Vandiya Devan remembered the terrible wolf dream that he had while he was at Kadambur where thousands of wolves had surrounded him from all directions and were trying to devour him.

He tried to untie his bonds but Ravidasan had tied him a tad too securely this time. With no light to guide him, he was finding it difficult to untie the ropes.

Suddenly he heard a sound. It sounded like a man’s footsteps. His horse neighed sensing danger. Something appeared darker than the forest around and it was coming towards him. Is it an animal or a man or could it be something else?

Vandiya Devan steeled his body and waited until ‘it’ approached him closer and then kicked it with all his strength.

‘It’ fell down with a shout that seemed almost human and then seemed to crawl away.

Soon he could hear the sound of a stone being scratched and a firelog was being lit. There was a light at the entrance of the temple and someone was coming towards him. Vandiya Devan tried to turn around and see who it was?

He came close to Vandiya Devan and held the fire log up to see his face. It was a Kalamuga Saivar with matted hair and a massive beard. 

Chapter 35: Time is near

Built hundred years ago, (at the time of our story) we have seen the memorial temple of Ganga King earlier when the Pandya conspirators met to discuss their next move even while Azhwarkadiyan was spying on them. Ravidasan and his gang along with the boy and Vandiya Devan reached the same place that night.

They dumped Vandiya Devan along with his horse near one end of the wall that was half dilapidated and said, “You can sit here awhile. Don’t even think of escaping. It is impossible. Only those who are familiar with this forest can hope to cross it over. If you still dare to escape, you will die for sure.”

“Oh yes! I am sure you will work some sorcery and kill me!” said Vandiya Devan cheekily and laughed.

“Laugh! Laugh Well!” said Ravidasan and laughed as well.

A wolf howled at a distance and an owl hooted in response. Vandiya Devan looked around and noted that the dense forest trees had shielded its surroundings from the rain. Though a few patches of ground were wet but largely, the forest was so dense and thick that the thundering rain that had soaked him to the bone had not flooded the place. He removed his upper garment and dried on the stone wall. He sat down with his back on the wall and watched the clearing, where the rest of the gang was assembled. Ravidasan had however left a guard with him to ensure that he wouldn’t escape.

Ravidasan’s gang was sitting on the ground talking amongst themselves. One of them ventured inside the memorial temple and carried an old throne decorated with gilded gold and bronze. The child whom they called ‘Chakravarthy’ (emperor) was made to sit on the throne. Next, they put out the firelights that they carried, all except two to give out a dim light. The smoke from the extinguished firelight enveloped the place.

“Why is the Rani so late?” asked one of them.

“She can come only when the time is right. I told her to come late in the night. There is still time. Until then, can someone sing the songs of Pandya Empire?”

Hearing this, Edupankari took out a small drum and started playing it and Devaralan started singing a song. The low tone of his voice and the rhythmic beat of the drum made his sad song more poignant than ever.

Vandiya Devan who was watching all this intently closed his eyes for a while. The melancholy of the song lulled him into a drowsy sleep even as he realised that Devaralan was singing about the terrible war that was fought at the same spot that they were sitting on.

Yes. That’s where Varaguna Pandyan and Aparajitha Pallavan had fought for three long hard days. To aid the Pallavan, Ganga King Prathivipathy had come with his army and fell prey to the ferocity of Pandya assault. This war memorial that was built to glorify the Ganga King’s brave deeds and today, it has become a home for these cowardly conspirators.

After the fall of the Ganga King, the Pallavan army disintegrated completely and a Pandya victory seemed imminent. That’s when the Chola army came to aid the Pallavas. At the head of the army was the old wizened warrior who bore 99 battle scars on his body – King Vijayalaya Chola. Paralysed in both his legs, four men bore the warrior on their shoulders and brought him to the battlefield. Unsheathing two long swords, the old warrior created havoc among the warring army. Wherever he went, scores and scores of soldiers fell down like flies. The Pallava army that had disintegrated came together to watch Vijayalaya Chola create history.

He could see the swordplay of the old warrior and the flood of blood right behind him. Drums were beating urgently while horses and elephants beat a retreat. The Pandya army that had almost tasted victory was now trying to flee the scene with their lives intact. And even as they retreated, the Pallavas and the Cholas were intent on extracting their revenge.

“Don’t let them flee! Get them!” they shouted.

Pandya soldiers fled the scene screaming ‘Ayyo! Ayyo!”

As the din of the battle grew louder and louder, the Pallavas and the Cholas emerged victoriously.

Vandiya Devan woke up with a start. He looked around and realised that he had fallen asleep to the song that Devaralan was singing and had seen the war play out in his dreams. The song was still going on… extolling the bravery of Pandyas.

Suddenly Edupankari stopped playing the drums. They could see a firelight approaching the clearing from a distance. Few men were carrying a veiled palanquin. They neared the clearing and kept their burden down. A woman emerged out of the palanquin. It was Nandini Devi but she looked different today. Unlike the other times when she was adorned with flowers, jewels and silk, this time, her hair was free of any restraint. To Vandiya Devan’s eyes, she looked like Durga who had vanquished the hoard of asuras.

Her appearance disturbed Vandiya Devan and his limbs shivered when she approached the throne where the child was sitting. Everyone’s attention was riveted by her appearance and they looked at her with stunned silence.

The woman who had accompanied the child, whom he called as his mother was also present behind the throne.

Nandini approached the throne and then opened her arms to the child. The child looked at her and his mother behind and said, “You are my mother aren’t you? She is not my mother is she?”

“Yes! My sweet.”

“Why does she say that she is my mother then?”

“She is the mother who brought you up?”

“Why didn’t you bring me up then? Why didn’t you keep me with you? Why is she keeping me in a mountain, away from you?”

“My sweet! You have been kept away from me because we need you to be safe to fulfil your father’s wishes and to seek vengeance against those who killed him in cold blood.”

“Yes, I know about that.” Said the child and went near Nandini.

Nandini embraced him lovingly and breathed the scent of his hair. The child too held on to her tightly not wanting to let go her!

Nandini prised open his hands by force and freed herself and then led the child to the throne and made him sit on it. Next, she went near the palanquin and took out a sword that we have already seen. She then asked the palanquin bearers to wait at a distance and then came back to the child and placed the sword on the throne.

The child looked at the sword with admiration and said, “Can I hold it?”

“Very soon my Child. You will need to wait.” She said.

Then she looked at Ravidasan and his gang and asked, “Do we have anybody here who hasn’t taken the holy oath?”

“No Devi!” said Soman Sambavan.

She then looked Ravidasan and said, “Senathipathy!”

Ravidasan laughed thunderously.

Unperturbed by his reaction, Nandini said, “Today you might feel like laughing but by next month, you might see our plans come to fruition.”

“Devi! We have been waiting for you announce this for many years now.”

“Ayya! We are but a mere handful. Our Chakravarthy is just a child. Chola Empire is large and powerful. Their army has countless soldiers. If we had rushed through our plans, all would have been lost. Now the time is ripe to seek vengeance. Ravidasarey! Do you have anything to say or ask? Does anybody here want to ask me questions?”

Ravidasan looked at his gang but none seemed to have any questions to ask.

“Devi! We have no questions to ask. We are eager to hear when we will be exacting our vengeance upon these Cholas. When? Where? Who? How?”

“Alright. I came here to give you news about it. That’s why I called everybody here. That’s why I also wanted our Chakravarthy to come here.” Said Nandini and paused.

Everybody’s attention was upon her now.

“Some of you were impatient. You wanted immediate results. Some of you also feared that I might have forgotten the oath that swore upon our King’s dead body. You didn’t know that I had more reasons to remember my oath every second of my life. For the past three years, I have been plotting each and every move of ours so that it helps our cause. I have no other thought left in my mind but this. The time to strike has finally arrived. Today powerful noble families and influential noblemen are split into two groups. Sambuverayar and his supporters want Madhuranthakan as the next King while Malaimaan and Kodumbalur Vellar are against them. I also heard that Kodumbalur Vellar is bringing his army to Thanjavur to make sure they don’t crown Madhuranthakan. Malaimaan too is raising an army to support his grandson’s claim and at any time a war seems imminent between these two groups.”

“Devi! We heard that you are also trying your utmost to broker peace between these two groups. I heard that you have invited both the parties to Kadambur Palace to talk and negotiate an agreement?”

“That’s right. I had organised these peace talks. Can you guess why?”

“No Devi! Who can indeed fathom what lies beneath the depth of a woman’s heart?”

“That’ true. It is indeed impossible. I will tell you. If a fratricidal war breaks out before our mission is complete then we can’t really predict the outcome. Sundara Cholan is still alive and so is his Prime Minister Anbil Brahmarayan. They would intervene and pacify both the groups. Even if one group wins the war and the other loses, our wishes and intentions will not be fulfilled. That’s why I called for these peace talks. We need to fulfil our mission and take our vengeance before the war starts. Once we do that, a civil war would begin in earnest that would destroy the Chola clan from head to foot. Now do you understand?”

When they heard of Nandini’s plan, they shook their head in surprise and expressed their happiness. Some spoke amongst themselves and shook their head expressing their approval of her intelligent plan.

“Devi! We are in awe of your brilliant mind and the plan that you have put in place. We want to know when we will be putting our plan to action? You said that the date has neared? When will we be doing it and who will do it?”

“That’s the purpose of these peace talks. I have called our first enemy to Kadambur Palace under the pretext of a peace agreement. He will come there for sure. That’s where we will fulfil the holy oath that we swore upon our King’s body. Today is Saturday. By next Saturday, trust me, our first enemy would be dead!”

Nandini’s words had a ripple effect on the gang that was gathered there. Some shouted their encouragement and approval while some clamped their hands on their thighs and gave their approval. Edupankari enthusiastically drummed a small beat on the hand drum!

The unusual sounds of such cheer roused some bats in the nearby tree and they took flight eerily. Vandiya Devan couldn’t hear the conversation that was taking place at the clearing but even he could discern that Nandini had given some good news to Ravidasan’s gang.

Ravidasan stood up and raised his hands to signal silence and then turned towards Nandini.

“Devi! Your last words have filled us with eagerness and hope. We never thought that we would ever see the day when our oath would be fulfilled. I wish to know who get the honour of fulfilling our oath.”

“I am not surprised at this question. It is but natural that each one of you would want to be the sword to strike down the enemy. That’s why I asked you to bring the heir of Veera Pandian here and here is his father’s sword. Let the child decide who deserves the honour of seeking vengeance at his father’s killer and hand over the sword to them. The rest of us will stay close to that person and aid him in whatever way possible. If that person fails in his mission then we should be ready to fulfil it somehow. I will be inside Kadambur Palace and Edupankari is one of the guards there. We will help you to get inside the Palace. Do these arrangements meet with your approval?”

Ravidasan and his gang nodded their assent and said, “Your arrangements are fine Devi. There is, however, one more thing. Whoever Chakravarthy selects to fulfil the oath will emerge as the undisputed leader of this gang. The rest of us should and must listen to him no matter what.”

Nandini’s face broke into a mesmerising smile after hearing this.

“You wish to bind me too into agreeing to this don’t you?”

“Yes, Devi! You are one of us hence we cannot differentiate.”

“Alright. I agree. Do you all agree with what Ravidasan just said?” asked Nandini

The rest of the gang looked at each other and hesitated. Soman Sambavan stood up and said, “How is it possible? Nandini Devi has been helping us for so long. How can we force her to accept somebody’s orders?”

“Please do not worry about me. I have been living only to see our oath fulfilled. I would happily be the slave of anyone who fulfils it for me, willing to listen to him all through my life.”

Next, she turned towards the child who had been avidly listening and watching the entire scene though it was doubtful whether he understood anything.

“My sweet! This is your brave father’s sword. Take it in your small hands and give it to the one whom you like a lot.”

Ravidasan came near the child and said, “Chakravarthy! Take a good look at each one of us. You need to give the sword to whoever you think is bravest here.”

Cowed down by Ravidasan’s scarlet eyes, the child looked around at the rest of the gang.

Everyone stood up and came near the child. There was an air of expectancy and a hushed silence fell over them as their eyes begged the child entreating him silently to give the sword to them.

Ravidasan’s red-rimmed eyes looked at the child with menacing authority as if commanding him to hand over the sword to him.

The child looked at everyone again and then took the long sword in his hands. The excitement among Ravidasan’s gang mounted. Instantly the child turned towards Nandini and said, “Amma! I like you more than anybody else here. I want you to rule my Kingdom until I come of age,” and handed over the sword to her.