As they walked, Vandiyathevan drew close to Azhwarkkadian and said, “What is this, why does the prince behave so? That day he suddenly started a wrestling match; today he jumped into a knife fight. Couldn’t he at least announce before starting a fight? The prince’s friendship seems to be quite dangerous!”

The prince, overhearing this, had already come near them.

“Yes, sir! My friendship is indeed very dangerous. Didn’t you realize that last night itself? If you wish to avoid danger, you must keep at least ten leagues away from wherever I am!” he said.

“Prince, that’s not what I meant. I am ready to face any danger that comes from being near you. But you—why do you act so suddenly, without warning…”

At this, the valiant Vaishnavite interjected, “Don’t you understand, brother? The prince used this tactic to find out who was approaching and to act accordingly! Whoever they might be, if they see a knife fight, they’ll at least pause to watch, won’t they?”

The prince said, “Thirumalai’s words are true. There’s also something peculiar in my horoscope. Whoever becomes my friend is sure to attract the envy and enmity of others. That’s why, if I desire someone’s friendship, it is my habit to quarrel with them often. Only those who don’t mind this can remain my friends!”

“In that case, fine! From now on, I won’t wait for you to start a fight—I’ll begin it myself. Prince! I, who brought you news, forgot to tell you something important. I wish to tell it now! I must tell it. If you don’t wish to hear it, pick up your knife again!” said Vandiyathevan.

“No need! Tell me the news, I am listening.”

“In the crowd that surrounded us, there was a woman standing with a lotus stem in her hand. Didn’t you even say that I was defeated by her glance? Do you know who that woman is?” “I do not know; I did not see her clearly. I have no habit of observing her either.”

“Prince! She is the one who sent you a message; I forgot to tell you. How shall I explain? Ever since I met you, I have been busy fighting alongside you and escaping from having a house collapse on my head! So, I never found the right moment to tell you. When I suddenly saw that girl, I remembered that I had not conveyed her message. I was a bit startled at that moment. Just then, you struck my sword away…”

“Let it be; who is that girl? Why should she send me a message?”

“Sir! She is Poonguzhali.”

“A beautiful name. But I have never heard of it.”

“Sir! Do you remember the name ‘Samudra Kumari’?”

“Samudra Kumari—Samudra Kumari—I do not recall such a name! I do not even remember seeing her!”

“Please, try to remember a little. If you do not remember, that girl’s heart will break. At Kodikkarai, you were about to board a boat to reach the ship. At that time, a girl came alone, rowing her boat from the sea to the shore. You watched her in surprise. She, too, came nearer to find out who you all were. You asked the lighthouse keeper, ‘Who is this girl?’ He replied, ‘She is my daughter.’ Immediately you said, ‘Oh! She is your daughter? I thought she was Samudra Kumari!’ That girl has not forgotten those words; she has kept them in her memory. It was only with that girl’s help that I was able to cross the sea and come to Lanka…”

“Now that you mention it, I vaguely recall something. But what business does the Samudra Kumari of Kodikkarai have here, near Anuradhapura? Why has she come with these people? Did she perhaps come searching for you?…”

“No; never. She has no reason to come looking for me. If she has come searching for anyone, it must be you. Why, I do not know!”

As he continued speaking thus, Vandiyathevan glanced at Poonguzhali, who was approaching from a short distance away, walking beside the Commander-in-Chief. She walked with her head bowed. Yet, he realized that all her attention and thoughts were fixed upon the prince. He also noticed that, every now and then, her sidelong glance would seek out the prince. At that moment, she must have sensed by some inner feeling that they were speaking about her. Otherwise, what need was there for her to walk with her head so persistently bowed? Ah! Were not her eyes the kind that never rested, never ceased their restless wandering, never once looking in the direction they had just seen?

They reached a mandapam where only the carved black stone pillars stood, without a roof above. All around, tall trees had grown, casting a measure of shade upon the mandapam. In the center of the mandapam was a raised platform. There, the prince, the Commander-in-Chief, and Parthibendran seated themselves. Vandiyathevan and Azhwarkadiyan stood a little apart.

On the other side, behind the concealment of a pillar, Poonguzhali stood. From there, she could see both the prince and Vandiyathevan. Around the roofless mandapam, soldiers stood in two lines, as if forming a battle array. A little farther away, the horses and the elephant were tethered.

The prince turned to Parthibendran and said, “What message have my brother and grandfather sent? I am eager to hear it!”

“Prince! The Chola kingdom is in great peril. This you must already know…”

“Yes, sir! The Emperor has been ailing for a long time…”

“That is not the only danger; a far greater peril threatens the very empire itself. Those in high positions of authority have turned traitorous. They have begun to plot against the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and yourself. They have resolved to deny your brother the throne, and instead to crown Madurantakan, that Shiva-devotee who wears the guise of a holy man, the so-called ‘Uthiratcha Poonai’. The Pazhuvettarayars, the Sambuvarayars, the bearers of the twin royal umbrellas, the Mazhavarayars of Mazhappadi,