Vandiyathevan was fiercely debating whether to leap down to the ground and risk being caught by the dog’s jaws, or to climb back up onto the wall once more. At the same time, he keenly observed whether someone might be hiding behind the nearby trees. It seemed as if a white cloth was visible behind one of the trunks. He recalled that, just moments ago, along with the barking of the dog, he had heard the sound of a man’s laughter. What if someone truly was concealed there? Was it one man? Or several? To jump down without knowing could be a grave mistake. Even if he escaped the dog, he might fall straight into the hands of men.

From the upper terrace of the palace, when he had looked down, it had seemed as if Azhwarkadiyan’s face was visible above the wall. Was that Vaishnavite, having grown tired of waiting and watching at the Ayyanar temple, now here, setting the dog upon him and enjoying the spectacle? Well, there was nothing to lose by calling out, “Vaishnavite! Vaishnavite! What is this game you’re playing?” he shouted. Once again, the sound of laughter rang out; but it was not Azhwarkadiyan’s voice.

So, the best course was to climb back up onto the wall and re-enter the palace. He could somehow slip away from the grand reception of Periya Pazhuvettarayar, or perhaps there was a secret passage. With a little more pleading, perhaps Manimekalai would help him again. If not, he would have to win the mercy of the young queen of Pazhuvoor herself. She, who had not betrayed him so far—would she choose this moment to do so?

Vandiyathevan began to climb back up the way he had come. The dog leapt higher, barking furiously. Again, laughter echoed. From behind the tree, a figure emerged, holding a spear in his hand. Vandiyathevan recognized him as Devaralan. Devaralan approached the spot where Vandiyathevan hung from the wall.

“Ah! You have a stubborn hold on life!” he said.

“That much is clear! Why do you come at me again?” Vandiyathevan retorted.

“This time, you will not escape!” declared Devaralan, leveling his spear at Vandiyathevan.

Vandiyathevan became acutely aware of the perilousness of his situation. How could a man, dangling from the halfway point of a wall, possibly fight with someone below who was trying to stab him with a spear? If he thought to leap down and escape, a hunting dog was poised above, ready to pounce on him.

“Devaralan, be careful! Remember the orders of your mistress, the Lady of Pazhuvoor! Did she not instruct you to do me no harm?” cried Vandiyathevan.

Devaralan let out a ghostly laugh. “The Lady of Pazhuvoor is not my mistress! No queen of any land is my mistress. Only Bhadrakali Durga Parameswari is my true mistress!” he declared.

“My family deity is also Durga Parameswari! By her grace alone did I escape from a burning ship in the middle of the sea. If you