Nandini took the sword that the boy, who was called the Emperor, handed to her. She pressed it to her chest and embraced it. Then she lifted the boy himself, and, drawing him close, hugged him tightly to her bosom. Tears streamed down from her eyes in torrents.

For a while, the others stood transfixed, watching this scene in astonishment.

Ravidasan was the first to recover from his shock and spoke.

“Devi! The Emperor has not fully understood our request. Without comprehending, he has given you the sword. Let me explain it to him again, more clearly—”

Nandini stopped him; her voice trembled as she spoke. “No, sir, no! The Emperor gave me the sword fully understanding what it means. Do not be disturbed by my tears. I weep not from sorrow, but from overwhelming joy at having received the fortune of avenging the murder of Veerapandiyan, the Emperor!”

“Devi! Think about it! While we, the band of desperate warriors, are still alive—” Soman Sambavan began, but Nandini cut him off.

“There is nothing to think about. That responsibility is mine alone. You will not be without your own tasks. Half of you must safely escort the Emperor to the Panchapandava Hills. The rest of you, come to Kadambur. Those who can enter the Samburayar palace, come inside; the others, wait outside, ready and alert. Wait with swift horses. Once the deed is done, if possible, all of us must escape alive, must we not?” said Nandini.

Ravidasan stepped forward. “Ammani! I forgot to mention something; grant me leave to say it now.”

“Speak, sir! Speak quickly! Pazhuvetarayar has gone to the grand assembly of the Kalamukhas on the banks of the Kollidam. I must reach the palace before he returns!” said Nandini.

“You said our chief enemy, Aditya Karikalan, would come to Kadambur Samburayar’s palace, did you not? That is not entirely certain,” he said. “For what reason do you say so?”

“I say it for a fitting reason. A message is being sent to Aditya Karikalan, forbidding him from coming to Kadambur Palace under any circumstances. The Young Princess of Pazhayarai and Prime Minister Aniruddha have both sent such word…”

“Did you think I was unaware of this?”

“Even knowing it, do you still expect him to come to Kadambur?”

“Yes; I certainly expect it. The nature of Aditya Karikalan is unknown to that Pazhayarai she-serpent; unknown to the demon of love; and even you, skilled in the arts of magical sorcery, do not know it. If anyone forbids Aditya Karikalan from doing something, that is the very thing he will surely do. I know this; I know it for certain. Aditya Karikalan is not a gullible child like Arulmozhi Varman. He is not a fearful fool like Madurantaka. Precisely because his sister and the Prime Minister have sent word forbidding him from coming to Kadambur, Aditya Karikalan will most assuredly come here!”

Thus spoke Nandini.

“Devi! You must not place your full trust in that either. The message they sent will not reach Kanchipuram!” said Ravidasan.

“What are you saying, sir! Speak more clearly!” said Nandini, her voice now tinged with agitation.

“Devi! Do you know through whom the message to Aditya Karikalan was sent?” asked Ravidasan.

“Certainly not; but I can guess.”

“Good! There is no need for guessing. We have already captured him. He was present in the mandapam where the Emperor sheltered from the rain. All our secrets are known to him. If we let him go alive, we are inviting our own destruction. Idumbankari! Bring that spy here!” commanded Ravidasan.

Idumbankari went toward the temple of the Pallipadai. Two others went with him. Nandini began to gaze intently in that direction. The sharpness that had been on her face all this while was now replaced by a bewitching smile.

Idumbankari and two others approached Vandiyathevan. The valiant youth, exhausted and half-asleep where he sat, was suddenly set upon by them. For a moment, Vandiyathevan considered wrestling with them. But then he changed his mind. Let me see what they intend to do, he thought, and remained still. With a thick rope, they bound his hands together and tied them to his body. Then, two of them seized him by the shoulders and led him forward, bringing him to stand before Nandini.

Vandiyathevan looked at Nandini and smiled. There was no change visible now on Nandini’s face; tranquility reigned upon it.

“Sir! Once again…” she began.

“Yes, Devi, once again I have come! But this time, I did not come of my own accord!” he said, glancing at those around him.

The boy standing near Nandini asked, “Mother! It was he who saved me from being swallowed by a demon in the dark. Why have you had him tied up?”

Vandiyathevan looked at the boy and said, “Child! Be quiet! When elders are speaking, you must not interrupt. If you do, a tiger will swallow you up!”

“I will swallow the tiger!” declared the boy.

“Can a fish swallow a tiger?” Vandiyathevan asked.

From the faces of those around him came a terrible, rumbling growl. Even Vandiyathevan was startled for a moment by that dreadful sound.

Ravidasan spoke in a loud voice, “Devi, did you hear? We cannot let him escape alive any longer. Twice before, for your sake, we let him go with his life. Now, we can no longer do so.”

“Mage! What a grand lie you tell!” retorted Vandiyathevan. “Was it you who let me go alive? Was it not I who escaped from you? Devi! Please look closely and tell me—is this man truly Ravidasan, or is he Ravidasan’s demon?”

Ravidasan laughed menacingly. “Yes! I am a demon! Tonight, I shall drink your blood,” he said.

Once again, from the throats of those present, a terrible growling voice arose.

Meanwhile, the boy exclaimed, “Mother! He has a fine horse. Tell him to give it to me!”

“Child! Come with me! I will seat you upon my horse and take you