As the maiden hurried along the narrow path winding through the dense mango grove, Vandiyathevan followed swiftly behind her. It was no easy task to walk in that darkness without stumbling into the trees and shrubs. At one point, when he hesitated, nearly colliding with a tree, the maiden turned and asked, “Why have you stopped? Have you lost your way? You’re supposed to be the man whose eyes can pierce the darkness!”

In reply, Vandiyathevan pressed a finger to his lips and, just as she had done earlier, whispered, “Hush!” At that very moment, a sound drifted from beyond the wall—a noise that resembled the movement of people. After a pause, both resumed their walk. A little further on, Vallavarayan let out a soft chuckle. The maiden turned and asked, “What are you laughing at?”

“I am not laughing at what I see; I am laughing at what I heard!”

“Oh? And what is that?”

“Did you not hear the footsteps of those who were searching for me just now? I am amused at the thought of how they have been deceived!”

With a hint of fear, she asked, “Is someone searching for you? Why?”

“Otherwise, why would I have to sit here in the pitch darkness, bumping into the wall?”

At that moment, a breeze parted the branches, and a shaft of moonlight fell across Vandiyathevan’s face.

The young woman looked at him with a mixture of surprise and astonishment.

“What are you looking at?” he asked.

“I was just checking if it was really you!”

“If not me, who else could it be?”

“The last time you came, you had a big moustache!”

“You ask a good question! How else could someone like me, who climbs over walls and sneaks in, avoid changing his disguise from time to time?”

“But now you look so much younger than before!”

“Youth comes naturally when one’s spirits are high!”

"Why are you so enthusiastic all of a sudden?"

"When your Maharani’s grace is upon me, what lack can there be for enthusiasm?"

"Don’t mock me. Today, our mistress is only the Young Queen. One day, she will surely become the Maharani!"

"That is exactly what I am saying."

"Is this how you say it? You would even claim that it was by your magical powers she became Maharani! If someone asked for half the kingdom, you would not hesitate to ask!"

Vandiyathevan thus managed to learn, in some manner, what he wished to know. After that, he did not speak further. He walked on, deep in thought.

Whom was he about to meet? Could it be the younger queen of Pazhuvoor? Or perhaps the daughter of the younger Pazhuvettaraiyar, who had married Madurantaka Devar? That woman, thinking him a magician, was leading him away. Whoever this 'Young Queen' might be, how should he conduct himself when he met her? O heart! Do not lose your courage! As long as courage remains, victory will follow! At the right moment, some clever