It seemed to Vandiyathevan as if the horses were traveling endlessly along a never-ending path. Has this Vaishnavite truly deceived me? Is he about to hand me over to the enemy? On either side, the forests grew thick and impenetrable. Within their depths, a terrifying, impenetrable darkness reigned. Who could say what dangers lurked in that shadowy jungle, and in what forms? Leopards, bears, elephants, venomous creatures—along with them, perhaps enemies too might be lying in wait; who could know? They had said that Thambalai was the southernmost outpost still held by the Chola army. Where was this man taking him?

Fortunately, there was a little moonlight. The silvery rays of the moon played upon the tops of the towering trees, crawling and dancing there. The shifting light sometimes fell across the path as well. Ahead, three horses could be seen at times only as shadowy forms. But the steady clatter of hooves never ceased to reach his ears.

Suddenly, other sounds emerged—unexpected noises in the heart of the forest. The tumult of many human voices, the sounds of singing and dancing in merriment. Ah! There, between the trees, a light could be seen. Along with the glow of torches, the bright flames of great ovens like yawning mouths were visible. Aha! Who were these warriors making merry around campfires in the midst of this forest? Were they Chola soldiers? Or did they belong to the enemy camp?

Vandiyathevan had only a brief moment to ponder this. In that short span, he did not notice that the horses ahead had suddenly come to a halt, nor that one horse had wheeled around sharply. That horse now approached Vandiyathevan’s own. Its rider leaned swiftly toward him and struck a sudden blow. Stunned by the force of the attack, Vandiyathevan lost his balance. The man seized one of Vandiyathevan’s knees and, with a powerful heave, flung him to the ground. Vandiyathevan crashed heavily onto the earth, while his horse, startled, galloped a short distance ahead before coming to a stop.

Meanwhile, the warrior who had thrown him down leapt from his horse and came to stand by Vandiyathevan’s side. As Vandiyathevan, dazed and reeling, tried to rise, the man snatched the dagger from his waist and hurled it far away. At once, a new vigor surged within Vandiyathevan—along with a boiling fury. With a bound, he sprang to his feet, clenched both fists tightly, and, with a blow as hard as a thunderbolt, he... He thrust at the man before him. Would the one who received the blow remain silent? He too displayed his own skill. Between the two, a fierce, tumultuous duel broke out. It was as if Ghatotkacha and Idumban were locked in combat. They rolled upon the ground like the hunter-garbed Lord Shiva wrestling with Arjuna. Like two elephants of the quarters, shifting their ground and charging at each other, they clashed with tremendous force.

Azhwarkadiyan, who had come with Vandiyathevan, and the warriors who had arrived before them,