After the evening meal, Vandiyathevan met privately with the head of the lighthouse and explained that he needed to travel to Lanka without delay. The venerable man, known as Thyagavidanga Karaiyar, expressed his regret.

“In earlier times, there were many large and small boats along this shore. Now, all of them have gone to Sethukkarai. They have been sent to aid our army stationed in Lanka. I own two boats myself. Of those, my son left yesterday, taking two men with him. I do not know when he will return. What can be done?” he said.

“Who are those men? Your daughter mentioned that they seemed rather suspicious,” asked Vandiyathevan.

“Yes, I too did not like the look of them. I do not know who they are, nor do I know their purpose. They carried the palm insignia of the Pazhuvettarayar. Even so, I would not have sent my son with them. But my daughter-in-law is extremely greedy for money. When she heard them promise a bag full of gold, she insisted that her husband must go…”

“What is this, sir? Is it proper that your son should obey the words of a young girl with no experience of the world?” said Vandiyathevan. Then, hesitating a little, he added, “Forgive me, that is your family’s concern!”

“My boy, there is nothing wrong in your asking. My family is under a curse. My son…” The old man faltered.

At that moment, Vandiyathevan remembered what Sendhan Amudhan had told him about this family.

“Is your son unable to speak?” he asked.

“Yes; but how did you know?” the elder replied.

Vandiyathevan then told him about Sendhan Amudhan, his mother, and how he had stayed at their house. “Aha! So you are that man? News of you has already reached here before you arrived. They say you are being searched for all over the land?”

“That may be so; but I do not know anything about it.”

“Now I understand why you are so eager to go to Lanka.”

“Elder! What you are thinking is not correct. I am not going to Lanka merely to save my own life. I am carrying a very important letter to someone there. If you wish, you may see it.”

“That is not necessary. It is enough for me that the young princess has written about you. But at this moment, I am unable to give you the help you seek!”

“You mentioned there was another boat?”

“There is a boat. But there is no one to row it. If you and your friend are willing to row it yourselves, I will give it to you…”

“Neither of us knows how to row a boat. In fact, I am a little afraid of water. Especially the sea…”

“Even if you know how to row, those without experience cannot row a boat in the sea. Once you go a little distance, the shore will disappear. Then you will be left to wander, lost, not knowing which direction to