Hidden behind the thicket of screw-pine bushes, Poonguzhali stood holding her breath. Though the sorcerer and Nandini spoke in hushed voices, much of their conversation reached her ears.

When Nandini said that she did not believe the prince had been taken by the sea, the sorcerer replied, “Queen! You never have faith in my words. Why do you now harbor such doubt?”

“Haven’t you heard about the strength of the prince’s horoscope? Even just now, the priest of the Kuzhagar temple spoke about it.”

“Madness! My magical power is stronger than the force of planets and stars. Do you know that I chanted my spells over the calm sea and summoned the cyclone? At first, even that spy from Kanchipuram did not believe it. But later, when he was drowning in the sea, he must have believed for certain!”

“Did you see him drown and die in the sea?”

“What if I did not? I saw the ship he was on catch fire and burn.”

“They say the prince jumped into the sea to save him from the burning ship, didn’t he?”

“Did the one who went return?”

“He did not come back to the Pallava’s ship…”

“Then what? I left Vandiyathevan alive only so that both enemies would perish on the same day.”

“No matter what you say, my heart does not believe it. Something within me keeps telling me that both of them are still alive. Do you know Poonguzhali?”

“I know her well. In Lanka, she was a nuisance to us. She too may have perished in the cyclone.” “That’s not it. A little while ago, a boat was seen approaching from a distance. Raakkammaal saw it from the top of the lighthouse. Suddenly, it vanished from sight. She thinks there were two or three people in the boat.”

“In that case, take the elder and leave at once. I will stay here and keep watch.”

“What if we stay?”

“If the elder is here, he will try to give the prince royal honors and escort him with all ceremony. Everything will be ruined.”

“Witch! I ask you—why is it necessary for them to disembark? If everyone has agreed to crown Madurantakan…”

“Ammani! Do not let your womanly wit betray you now. The spy from Kanchi knows all our secrets. He would have told the prince everything. Before dawn breaks, you must leave and inform them. Raakkamma! If Poonguzhali brings them, where would she hide them in the forest?”

“There is a hidden mandapam. That is her secret sanctuary. She once hid the Kanchi spy there for an entire day. Later, I discovered it.”

“Good; I too know the place where that hidden mandapam lies. I will go there and wait. Queen! How is the Emperor? Is there any news?”

“Which emperor do you ask about?”

“This mouth will never call the ailing Sundara Chozhan ‘Emperor.’ I ask about our Emperor.”

“Ten days ago, word came that he was well. Ah! How many days it has been