From Vijayalaya Chozha to Sundara Chozha, also known as Parantaka II, our hero Vandiyathevan delighted in gazing upon the lifelike portraits of the Chozha kings. Ah! What manner of men were these? What mighty warriors! How many great and wondrous deeds they accomplished, holding their very lives as mere straw! Not even in tales or epics had he heard of such valor. Fortunate indeed was the land of the Chozhas to have been blessed with such a royal lineage; and fortunate too were all the lands now under their rule.

As Vandiyathevan observed the scenes depicting the histories of these Chozha monarchs, he noticed another important detail. To each Chozha king, the chieftains of the Pazhuvoor clan had rendered the most distinguished service; they had performed many acts of valor and loyalty.

It was a Pazhuvettaraiyar who, after besieging the Thanjai fort held by the Mutharayars, was the first to enter that city. When Vijayalaya Chozha, having lost both legs, entered the battlefield at Thirupurambiyam and performed heroic feats, it was a Pazhuvettaraiyar who lent him his shoulder and carried him. It was a Pazhuvettaraiyar who placed the crown upon Aditya Chozha’s head and conducted his coronation. When Aditya Chozha leapt upon an elephant and slew Pallava Aparajitavarman, it was a Pazhuvettaraiyar who offered his back and shoulders to aid Aditya’s leap. In the many wars waged by Parantaka the Emperor, it was the Pazhuvettaraiyars who bore the tiger banner at the forefront. When Rajaditya fell wounded on the battlefield, it was a Pazhuvettaraiyar who cradled him in his lap and brought the news, “The Rashtrakuta armies are routed and fleeing!” In the same way, it was the Pazhuvettaraiyars who rendered valorous service and aid to Arinjaya and Sundara Chozha.

Seeing all this depicted so vividly in the paintings, Vallavaraiyan was filled with inexpressible wonder. There was no mystery, then, as to why the elder and younger Pazhuvettaraiyars now wielded such influence in the Chozha land. Nor was it surprising that Sundara Chozha consulted them in all matters.

Yet, there was no doubt that he himself was now caught in a grave predicament. The younger Pazhuvettaraiyar had already begun to suspect him. If the elder arrived, that suspicion would only grow stronger. The secret of the signet ring would be exposed. After that, his fate would be sealed! Vallavaraiyan had heard tales of the underground dungeons of Thanjavur, administered by the younger Pazhuvettaraiyar.

Perhaps they might lock him up in there. Once a man is thrown into the underground dungeon, it is rare for him to ever come out again. Even if he does emerge, it will be as a mere skeleton, mind utterly lost, nothing but a raving lunatic!

Ah! How to escape from such a terrible danger? By some cunning means, he must leave the fort before the great lord arrives. Even the desire to see the Younger Queen of Pazhuvoor had now left our hero. It was enough if he could save his life, escape the underground prison, and get out!

Even if he did not have the letter, he could meet Princess Kundavai in person and deliver the message. Let her believe it or not; it did not matter. But how to get out of the Thanjai fort?

Suddenly, a doubt flashed in Vandiyathevan’s mind—what had happened to the old clothes he had been wearing? It was only to examine his garments that they had shown him such courtesy and given him new clothes! Kundavai Devi’s letter must have fallen into the hands of the Commander; there was no doubt about it. Now he understood why the Commander had gripped his hand like an iron vice, making sure he did not slip away with the poets. He also realized why three men had been sent with him, as if for one man, three were needed. Ah! A plan! He must devise a plan at once!—Here it is, a plan! All that remained was to see if it would work! Veeravel! Vettrivel!

Vandiyathevan looked out through the balcony of the picture hall. Chinna Pazhuvetarayar, surrounded by his retinue, was approaching on horseback. Ah! This was the moment! Not a second could be wasted now!

The three attendants, who had been sitting by the threshold and playing dice, stopped their game and rose to their feet. The sound of Chinna Pazhuvetarayar arriving at the palace entrance had reached their ears as well.

Vandiyathevan went up to them and asked, “Brothers! Where are the clothes I was wearing?”

“What do you want with those filthy rags now? By our master’s orders, we have given you new silk garments!” said one of them.

“I do not need new clothes; my old rags will do. Bring them to me at once!”

“They have gone for washing. We will give them to you as soon as they return.”

“That’s impossible! You are thieves. I had kept money in my old clothes. You must have taken them just to steal it. Bring them here at once. Otherwise…!”

“Otherwise, what will you do, little brother? Will you cut off our heads and send them to Thanjavur? But this is Thanjavur itself! Remember that!”

“Hey! Are you bringing my clothes right now or not?”

“I’ll bring them only if they exist, brother! We threw those filthy rags to the crocodiles of the Vettar river! Will what’s gone into a crocodile’s belly ever return?”

“You scoundrels! Are you playing games with me? I’ll go straight to your master and tell him—just wait and see!” said Vandiyathevan, starting to cross the threshold.

One of the three men came forward to block him. Vandiyathevan landed a strong punch right on his nose. That was enough; the man collapsed to the ground, blood beginning to drip from his nose.

Another man came at Vandiyathevan with both arms outstretched, as if to grapple with him. Vandiyathevan grabbed the outstretched arms, slipped one of his legs between the other’s, and gave a sharp twist. That was all it took! The man