Part Two – The Whirlwind

Until Prince Arulmozhi reached Parthibendran’s ship, those who stood at the mouth of the Thondaiman river watched him intently. As soon as the prince boarded the ship, the boat that had ferried him returned.

The face of Commander-in-Chief Boothi Vikramakesari betrayed his elation.

“The Lord is on our side; there is no doubt about it. Will the conch and discus marks upon the prince’s sacred form ever be tarnished? Parthibendran will safely escort him to Kanchi. We, too, must set out towards Thanjai with our armies!” Thus, as if speaking to himself, the Kodumbalur Velar declared aloud.

Immediately, he turned to Alwarkadiyan, who stood beside him. “Vaishnavite! Are you still standing here? There is no harm in that. What is there that the Prime Minister’s secret spy does not know? Well, what are you going to do? Will you come with me to the flower garden?”

“No, sir! There is yet another task the Prime Minister has assigned to me, which I must fulfill…”

“What is that, my boy?”

Alwarkadiyan glanced toward the spot a little distance away, where the mute queen and Poonguzhali stood.

“Is it something concerning those women?” asked the Commander-in-Chief.

“It concerns one of them; the Prime Minister has ordered that if I happen to see such a mute woman in Lanka, I must somehow bring her to Thanjavur.”

“He has given you a fine task. He might as well have asked you to catch one of the storm winds that rage across the Lankan seas and bring it back. It would be just as easy to capture that mute woman and bring her here. No one knows who she is. She seems to have great affection for our prince. Do you know anything about her?” “She is mute, and also deaf from birth—I know that. I also know that taking her along would be harder than trapping a storm wind in a cage and carrying it away. Still, as my master has commanded, I shall make an attempt.”

“Even this boat-girl seems to be friendly with her. Look at how the two of them are conversing with gestures! Call that girl here! I must give her a warning…”

Azhwarkkadiyan went over to the women and conveyed the Commander’s summons to Poonguzhali.

Poonguzhali left the mute queen and approached the Commander.

“Listen, girl! You are very clever! You came at the right time and brought important news. You have rendered a great service to the Chola dynasty. I shall never forget this. At the right time, I will reward you suitably,” he said.

Poonguzhali replied humbly, “My respects, sir! I do not need any reward.”

“Who lets you go without a reward? Let all this confusion subside a little. Afterwards… afterwards, I shall find you a husband in the Chola army, a hero among heroes. It will not do if your husband is an ordinary fellow—he must be a Bhimasena! Otherwise, wouldn’t you just twirl him around your little finger?” said