The regiment of Velakkara warriors marched along the great bazaar street. At the tail end of the procession, a few soldiers indulged in some mischievous pranks. One of them entered a sweet shop, seized a basket brimming with adhirasam, and distributed the treats among his fellow soldiers. Then, when he upturned the now-empty basket onto the shopkeeper’s head, both the soldiers and the passersby burst into raucous laughter—“Ha ha ha ha!”

Another soldier snatched a basket of flowers from an old woman he encountered along the way. Scattering the blossoms in all directions, he cried out, “Let a shower of flowers rain down!” The soldiers leapt and laughed, trying to catch the falling petals, making merry with their antics. Yet another soldier stopped a passing bullock cart, unfastened the bull from its yoke, and chased it away. Startled, the bull charged into the crowd, scattering people left and right as it ran. Once again, laughter and chaos erupted everywhere!

Watching all this, Vandiyathevan thought, “Ah! These men play just as the Pazhuvettaraiyar’s warriors do. Their games become a nuisance to others. It’s fortunate I kept out of their sight. Otherwise, a quarrel might have broken out, and my mission would have been ruined.”

But one difference became clear to him. The townspeople did not seem to resent the Velakkara soldiers’ antics as much. Instead, they joined in the laughter and excitement, delighting in the commotion! Wondering about this, Vandiyathevan turned to look for the young man with the flower baskets, but he was nowhere to be seen. Amidst the crowd and confusion, the youth had vanished—perhaps he had gone off to attend to his own business.

Vandiyathevan learned that after the Velakkara regiment left the fort in the evening, no one else would be allowed inside. Only those with special privileges—the royal family, ministers, and commanders—could enter the fort at any hour, day or night. He also discovered that the Pazhuvettaraiyar family enjoyed this right. Thus, Vandiyathevan abandoned his plan to enter the fort that night.

He did not wish to risk showing the signet ring he carried. Better, he thought, to spend the night outside the fort, exploring the city and waiting for another opportunity. It would be best to enter the fort only after sunrise tomorrow. Even if I were to enter the fort at night as I am now, would it be possible to meet the king and deliver the letter? Surely, that is not an easy matter.

Vandiyathevan made his way slowly along the streets that circled the fort’s ramparts, taking in the sights as he went. His horse, having traveled a great distance that day, was thoroughly exhausted. He knew he must soon find a place to let it rest; otherwise, when necessity arose on the morrow, the horse would be of no use to him! He must quickly find a suitable place to stay. Thanjai, at that time, was a city newly burgeoning, swelling and spreading in all directions. It was evening; hundreds of