The shrill ‘kreech’ of the parrot, mingled with the nursemaid’s frightened cry, startled both Nandini and Kandanmaran. Kandanmaran turned to see who had come, and when he realized it was Pazhuvettarayar approaching, his heart was thrown into confusion. A sudden fear seized him: had the lord overheard him say, “I too do not like Pazhuvettarayar,” just moments ago? Even more terrifying was the thought that Pazhuvettarayar might suspect something improper between himself and Nandini. That notion sent a chill through his heart. Is it not said that the ways of men who marry in their old age are peculiar? Perhaps that is why he is coming with such anger now. What he would do upon arrival, Kandanmaran could not guess. He must be prepared for anything.

All these thoughts crashed like waves through Kandanmaran’s mind in the span of a single moment. Yet, that day, he was to witness a great marvel—something entirely contrary to what he had feared. As Pazhuvettarayar drew near, Nandini’s face blossomed with a smile. She looked at him with her dark eyes and said, “My lord! I was afraid you might be delayed in returning. How fortunate that you have come back so soon!”

At the sight of her face and the sound of her voice, all of Pazhuvettarayar’s anger melted away, like wax placed in the fire. He let out a sheepish laugh and said, “Yes, the business I went for is finished; I have returned.”

Then, turning to Kandanmaran, he asked, “What is this boy doing here? Has he come to compose and recite some love poetry for you?” He laughed at his own jest.

Kandanmaran’s face flushed red. But Nandini laughed even more than Pazhuvettarayar and replied, “He knows nothing of love, nor of poetry. He only knows how to get into fights and end up wounded. Fortunately, his wound has healed. He was just saying he wanted to return to his village!”

“What shall we say about the valor of the youth of these days? In twenty-four battles, I have received sixty-four wounds. Yet never once did I take to my bed. But for his wound to heal, he has had to—” “It has been a long time. But all my wounds are on my chest, shoulders, head, and face. This boy, however, was wounded on his back, wasn’t he? That’s why it has taken so long. It is only fair!” he said, and let out a mocking laugh.

Kandanmaran sprang up in anger. “Sir! You stand in my father’s place. That is the only reason I tolerate your mockery!” he said.

“If not, what would you have done, boy?” asked Pazhuvetarayar, placing his hand on the dagger at his waist.

At this moment, Nandini intervened. “My lord! He does not bear wounds only on his back. You know well that he has wounds upon his heart as well! The thought that the one he considered his friend stabbed him in the back and fled has left a deep wound in his heart. Though the wound on his back may heal, the pain in his heart has not. We should not speak as though rubbing salt into that wound, should we? Do you not remember what happened that night, the very night he was wounded?” As she spoke, Nandini looked at Pazhuvetarayar with a gaze that seemed to carry a hidden meaning. Pazhuvetarayar’s expression changed at once!

“Yes, what you say is true! Poor boy, he is innocent. His father is my dearest friend. I should not take to heart the words he spoke in ignorance. Let this matter rest. Nandini! I came now to tell you something important. It is something he too should know. In Lanka, at Mahodaya, they have caught a man on suspicion of being a spy. He is said to have a letter for Prince Arulmozhi Varman. From certain signs, I believe he may be our Kandanmaran’s handsome friend. He must be a clever rogue. He slipped through our men’s hands and escaped to Lanka!”

Neither of the others noticed the fleeting change that came over Nandini’s face at that moment.

“What! He escaped? He went to Lanka?” Kandanmaran exclaimed in disappointment.

“My lord! It is no surprise to me that he escaped. How many times have I told you that your brother is unfit to guard this fortress? Would not the men he sends be the same?” said Nandini.

“In the past, when you spoke like this, I did not think much of it. But now, even I am beginning to feel the same way. Listen to one more strange thing! The spy who was caught in the mango grove was found to possess one of our Pazhuvur signet rings. He refuses to say how it came into his hands…”

Nandini let out a soft sigh and said, “What is this, a comedy? How did the palm signet ring come into his possession? What does your brother say about this?”

“Him? If you hear what he says, you’ll burst out laughing! Kalandhagan claims that the palm signet ring must have gone to the spy from you!” said Pazhuvetaraiyar, and then he laughed thunderously. The laughter seemed to shake the very pillars of the Latha Mandapam. The trees in the palace gardens shivered and trembled as if in response.

Nandini, joining in his laughter, said, “My brother-in-law—there is no one in all the fourteen worlds with a mind as sharp as his!”

“Do you know what else your brother-in-law says? It’s even more amusing! Just thinking about it makes me laugh! He says that when you arrived at the gates of Tanjore fort in your palanquin, that Indrajit met and spoke with you. Later, that magician even entered the palace. Therefore, you must have been the one to give him the Pazhuvur signet ring! If not, then perhaps that sorcerer who visits you so often must have taken it from you and given it to the spy! To cover up his own foolishness, he spins such