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