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 dare touch me, Durga will destroy you!” Vandiyathevan retorted.

“If you are truly a devotee of Durga, then you must do something for me now. Only then will I spare your life!” said Devaralan.

“What must I do? First, tell your dog to move away!” demanded Vandiyathevan.

“A valiant Vaishnavite came this way. If you help me catch him, I will let you go unharmed,” Devaralan replied.

“Why should I help you catch him?” asked Vandiyathevan.

“I have sworn an oath to Durga Devi to offer a valiant Vaishnavite as a sacrifice. That is why!” said Devaralan.

At that moment, the small shrub to which Vandiyathevan was clinging on the wall began to come loose, roots and all. As he pondered how to leap down upon Devaralan’s neck without being caught by the tip of the spear, Vandiyathevan said, “That Vaishnavite is my dear friend. I will never betray him, not for anything. Instead, offer me as the sacrifice in his place!”

“In that case, become prey to this spear right now!” Devaralan shouted, raising his weapon and aiming it at Vandiyathevan.

Letting go of the shrub, Vandiyathevan leapt down, seized the shaft of the spear just below its tip, and landed heavily on the ground. Devaralan, recovering from the shock, raised his spear again.

At that moment— From behind, a figure came running and, with the staff in his hand, struck Devaralan a heavy blow on the head. Devaralan collapsed with a thud onto Vandiyathevan. The dog leapt upon the man who had attacked its master. Azhwarkadiyan was ready for this as well. Spreading his upper cloth, he threw it over the dog’s head. For a few moments, the dog was rendered blind and helpless. In that brief interval, the Vaishnavan swiftly took the forest creeper he had prepared in advance, looped it around the dog’s neck, and tied it firmly to a tree.

Meanwhile, Vandiyathevan pushed Devaralan off himself and got up. Devaralan, struck by the Vaishnavan’s single blow, lay unconscious and senseless. The two of them plucked a few more forest creepers and bound his hands and feet tightly. Then Vandiyathevan took up his spear, and Azhwarkadiyan his staff, and they set off.

Except for the entrance side of the Samburayar palace, dense forest stretched for a long distance on the other three sides. Once inside, it was difficult to find a way out. Therefore, Vandiyathevan and Azhwarkadiyan hurried along the edge of the fortress wall.

As they walked briskly, Azhwarkadiyan said, “I thought you were a clever man. Now I see I was mistaken.”

“Are you talking about my rashness in entering through the secret passage? Do you know how many terrifying mysteries I have uncovered because of it?” replied Vandiyathevan.

“That is one thing. But when Devaralan asked, ‘Will you help me find the Vaishnavan?’ what was the need to simply say ‘Alright’? Why needlessly put yourself in danger?” asked the Vaishnavan.

“It’s all the fault of bad company!” said Vandiyathevan.

“Whose company do you