From the ruined mandapam, Vandiyathevan went in search of Poonguzhali. He found her leaning against a tree, her body trembling ever so slightly with suppressed sobs.

Softening his voice as much as he could, he called out, “Poonguzhali!”

Startled by the sound, Poonguzhali turned around abruptly.

“Oh, it’s you?” she said, and turned away again.

“It’s me! Why are you so angry with me?” he asked.

“I have no anger towards you whatsoever.”

“Then why are you so agitated?”

“I simply cannot stand the sight of men.”

“Not even the prince?”

Poonguzhali turned and looked at Vandiyathevan, her eyes blazing with fire.

“Especially him! I dislike him the most!” she declared.

“What fault has he committed?”

“He doesn’t even remember me. He won’t even look at my face.”

“He remembers you very well. When I mentioned you, he said, ‘Oh! Don’t I know the princess of the sea?’”

“You’re lying.”

“Come and ask him yourself.”

“If he remembers me, why hasn’t he spoken a single word to me?”

“He did speak; you’re the one who ran away without replying.”

“I never did such a thing. Isn’t it natural to ask, ‘Who is it? What is it?’ when you see someone you know? What you say is a lie! He never even looked at my face.”

"Poonguzhali! There is a reason for that."

"What reason?"

"The prince is going through a very difficult time right now."

"Who said so?"

"All the astrologers have said it. The astrologer from Kudanthai told me himself."

"What did he say to you?"

"He said that for a few days, hardship upon hardship will keep coming to the prince. He said that everyone close to him will also face troubles. The prince knows this too. That’s why he doesn’t want anyone to be friendly with him. He wants the misfortunes destined for him to fall on him alone."

"Then why are you still friendly with him?"

"Didn’t you see just now? He’s trying to quarrel with me and drive me away as well. For no reason, he picked a fight with me on the road. The quarrel stopped only because you arrived."

"Even if he drives you away, won’t you leave him?"

"I will not. I will share and experience all the hardships that come to him."

"Do you like him that much?"

"Yes; I like him very, very much."

"Why do you like him?"

"I don’t know how to explain it. The moment I saw him, affection for him blossomed in my heart."

"It’s the same for me!" said Poonguzhali. Immediately, she bit her lip, regretting that she had revealed her heart so openly.

"I know you have affection for the prince. That’s why I came to take you with me. Come with me!"

"I will not come!" Poonguzhali said firmly and resolutely.

"If you refuse, I will forcibly drag you with me."

“If you come any closer, beware—here is a knife!” said Poonguzhali, drawing the knife that was tucked into her waist and showing it to him.

“Poor girl! Why have you come to stab and kill me? Is it because I reminded the prince about you?”

“You are lying; you did not say a word about me to him!”

“So be it, let it go. Didn’t you say that two ships have come to take the prince away? Go and tell him that, then disappear however you wish!”

“I have already told all the details to the Commander-in-Chief.”

“The prince wishes to hear it directly from you.”

“If I stand before him, I will become mute.”

“The prince is very fond of dumb women!”

“Shame on you! You are mocking me!” exclaimed Poonguzhali, raising her knife.

“Then, are you not coming with me?”

“No!”

“Very well, I am leaving!” said Vandiyathevan, taking two steps forward. Suddenly, he spun around, snatched the knife from Poonguzhali’s hand, and flung it away!

The thrown knife spun and spun, flying far into a dense thicket. From the spot where the knife landed, a sound rang out—“Weel!”

It was impossible to tell whether it was a human voice, or the cry of some animal or bird.

Poonguzhali, who had glared at Vandiyathevan in fierce anger when he snatched her knife, now turned her gaze with curiosity toward the place where the sound had come from. Then, both of them looked at each other in astonishment.

Slowly, they walked toward the thicket where the knife had fallen and peered through the bushes. Fresh blood was splattered on the leaves and the ground. But there was no sign of a human; nor of any animal. Poonguzhali’s knife was also nowhere to be seen!

“Did you see now, Poonguzhali! Do you realize at last the truth of what I told you? The prince is surrounded by dangers on all sides. At any moment, from any place, danger could strike—no one can predict when or how. By chance, I snatched your knife and threw it away. That revealed that someone was hiding here. Think for yourself—why would anyone be lurking here? Only to seize an opportunity to harm the prince! Do you remember, on the very first day I came to Kodikkarai, your brother ferried two men across, and you told me you felt suspicious about them? Recall that! In times like these, can those who care for the prince afford to leave his side?”

With these words, Vandiyathevan spoke breathlessly and fell silent.

“What if he himself asks me to go?” Poonguzhali asked.

“Even if he asks us to go, we must not!”

Poonguzhali thought for a moment and then said, “Shouldn’t we find out who was hiding here?”

“That is not something we can do. In this dense forest, how could we search and find them? If we delay any longer, the prince will truly be angry. Everyone will leave us behind! Come with me, without another word.”

“All right, I’m coming!” Poonguzhali replied.

The two of them walked toward the pavilion where the others were gathered.

As soon as