The moment Vandiyathevan heard the words of the Pazhuvettaraiyar regarding the royal succession, he immediately came to a decision. What are these men going to discuss about the right to the throne? Who are they to speak of such matters? Whatever is about to happen in this gathering, I must find out! I must remain seated right here. Nowhere else could I find a more convenient spot than this. Let Azhwarkkadiyan leave if he must—what concern is that of mine?

Already, Vandiyathevan had sensed that some mysterious event was about to unfold here tonight. The cryptic words of Azhwarkkadiyan, the brisk and secretive behavior of the guards at the fortress gate, the half-hearted welcome from Sambuvaraiyar, the frenzied and impassioned speech of the attendant—all these had aroused various suspicions in his mind. Now, by some stroke of fate, he had been granted this opportunity to dispel those doubts and uncover the truth; why should he let it slip away?

Ah! Even Kandhamaaran, whom he had considered his dearest friend, had not revealed the truth to him. After putting him to sleep, Kandhamaaran had come to attend this secret midnight gathering. Tomorrow, he would have to settle accounts with him.

Meanwhile, below, the Pazhuvettaraiyar had begun to speak. Vandiyathevan listened intently, giving his full attention.

“I have come here to inform you all of a matter of utmost importance. It is for this very reason that Sambuvaraiyar has convened this assembly. The health of Emperor Sundara Chola is in a most precarious state. I have inquired privately with the royal physicians. They have said, ‘There is no longer any hope; he will not live much longer.’ Therefore, we must now deliberate on the actions that must follow!”

With these words, the Pazhuvettaraiyar paused.

“What do the astrologers say?” asked one of those gathered.

“Why go to the astrologers? For several days now, a comet has been visible in the evening sky! Is that not sign enough?” said another.

Then the Pazhuvettaraiyar continued: “The astrologers have been consulted as well. They only postpone matters by a few days; that is all. Whatever the case, we must now consider who is next in line for the throne…”

“What is the use of thinking about it any further? The title of Crown Prince was firmly bestowed upon Aditya Karikalan two years ago!” said another deep voice.

“That is true, but before the title of Crown Prince was given, was the opinion of any of us ever sought? I wish to know. Each one of us gathered here belongs to an ancient clan that has, for over a hundred years and through four generations, toiled for the glory of the Chola kingdom. My grandfather’s father died in the battle of Thiruppurambiyam. My grandfather gave his life in the war at Velur. My father sacrificed his life at Thakkolam. In the same way, the ancestors of each of you have laid down their lives to uphold the greatness of this Chola land. In every one of our families, young children have perished on the battlefield. Even today, sons of our clans and households are fighting in the land of Eezham. Yet, when it came to deciding who should next ascend the throne, the Maharaja did not seek our counsel. Even Dasaratha, before crowning Rama, convened a council of ministers and deliberated. He sought the advice of ministers, chieftains, commanders of the army, and minor kings. But Sundara Chola Maharaja did not deem it necessary to consult anyone…”

“It is true that he did not seek our opinion. But to claim that he did not consult anyone at all is not correct, O Lord of Fate. The advice of the great princess Sembiyan Mahadevi and the young princess Kundavai Devi was indeed sought. Can the Pazhuvettaraiyar deny this?” said someone in a mocking tone, and a few in the gathering laughed.

“Ah! You laugh! I do not know how you find it in yourselves to laugh, but as I think of it, my stomach burns; my blood boils. Why should I continue to live, bearing this shame? Today, the soothsayer who came to the assembly said that Durga demands a sacrifice. He said, ‘A human sacrifice is needed from a royal lineage that has endured for a thousand years.’ Offer me as the sacrifice! My clan is more ancient than a thousand years. Each of you, with your sword, strike a blow upon my neck and offer me as the sacrifice. Mother Durga will be satisfied; my soul will find peace…”

Thus, with a voice trembling with the same frenzy as the soothsayer who had danced in the assembly, the Pazhuvettaraiyar spoke, and then fell silent.

For a short while, silence reigned. The sound of the western wind blowing with a “whirr,” and the mysterious rustle of the trees swaying outside the fortress wall in that wind, were all that could be heard.

“Pazhuvur Mahārāja must forgive the jesting words and the laughter that followed, which were spoken in ignorance. You are our unrivaled leader. All of us here are ready to carry out your commands. We walk the path you show us. I beg you, please forgive us!” said Sambuvaraiyar with emotion.

“I too lost my patience for a moment. For that, you must pardon me. Consider this: exactly one hundred years ago today, Vijayalaya Chola defeated the Mutharaiyars and seized Thanjavur. In the battle of Thirupurambiyam, he aided the Pallava army and annihilated the forces of the Madurai Pandyas. From that day onward, the Chola kingdom has grown and expanded day by day. Not even in the time of Karikala Valavan, who raised the banks of the Kaveri, did the Chola realm reach such greatness. Today, from the southern tip at Kanyakumari to the northern rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna, the Chola empire stretches wide. Pandya Nadu, Nanjil Nadu, the Chera land that had never bowed to anyone, Thondai Mandalam, Pāgi Nadu, Gangapadi, Nulambapadi, Vaithumba Nadu, Chitpuli Nadu, Perumpanappadi, and the land of Kodagu where the