For several days now, Prime Minister Aniruddha Brahmarayar had been staying in the capital city. To see him, government officials, minor kings, commanders of the army, foreign envoys, representatives of merchant guilds, temple administrators, and scholars of both southern and northern languages were constantly coming and going. Thus, his mansion was always bustling with crowds, a steady stream of people flowing in and out.

Aniruddhar did not keep a private guard for himself. He maintained only a very small retinue. Because of this, there was never any reason for conflict to arise between him and the Pazhuvettarayar brothers. Nevertheless, the younger Pazhuvettarayar was grumbling to himself. Ever since the Prime Minister had begun residing in Thanjavur, security had become lax. Under the pretense of wishing to see the Prime Minister, all sorts of people were continually entering the fortress. Since the Prime Minister’s mansion was situated next to the Emperor’s palace, the crowds in the palace quarter had also increased. Many came there, invoking the Prime Minister’s name or displaying his seal, and were able to see him.

Chinna Pazhuvettarayar wished to bring some order to all this. But he did not have the courage to go directly to the Prime Minister and argue with him. If the elder Pazhuvettarayar had been present, the two of them could have discussed and taken some action. But at this time, the elder had gone to Kadambur, leaving the younger one, Kaalandhaka Kandar, feeling as though he had lost the use of one arm.

It was not enough that the crowds gathering inside the fortress were hindering the security arrangements; the Prime Minister, Aniruddhar, would often send requests to the younger Pazhuvettarayar, pretending to seek his assistance, but in fact issuing commands. A few days earlier, he had asked for some soldiers to be sent to Kodikkarai. Kaalandhaka Kandar had complied and provided the men. Then, just yesterday, he had sent word that a noblewoman needed to be brought from Thiruvaiyaru, and for that, he required a closed palanquin from the Pazhuvur palace and some bearers. The younger Pazhuvettarayar fulfilled this request as well. Yet in his heart, he thought, “This Brahmarayar is up to some scheme. What noblewoman is there who needs to be brought in a closed palanquin in this manner?” Who is that woman? Why is she coming here? I must find this out at any cost. At such a critical moment, why has my brother gone away and left me alone?’—thus did his mind become agitated.

There was another man, too, who was eager to discover who had arrived at the residence of Prime Minister Aniruddhar in a closed palanquin. That man was none other than Alwarkadiyan, the beloved disciple of Aniruddha Brahmarayar.

On the morning following that day of heavy rain, Aniruddha Brahmarayar completed his ablutions, prayers, meditations, and rituals, and came to the front portico of his mansion. He summoned his attendant and asked who had come and was waiting to see him. Upon learning that Alwarkadiyan was among those waiting, he immediately ordered that he be brought in at once.

Alwarkadiyan hurried before his revered guru and stood with reverence and humility.

“Tirumalai! What happened to the task you were sent on?” Aniruddhar asked.

“Master! Forgive me, I have returned in defeat,” replied Alwarkadiyan.

“As I expected, then. You were unable to meet Aditya Karikalan?”

“I did meet him, sir! I conveyed all the messages you instructed me to deliver, but it was of no use. I could not prevent the prince from going to Kadambur Palace…”

“Is the prince at Kadambur now?”

“Yes, master! I saw him enter the palace of Sambuvaraiyar with my own eyes before I returned. Sambuvaraiyar received the prince with royal honors. The enthusiasm shown by the people gathered there is beyond description.”

“All that is to be expected. Who else has arrived at Kadambur Palace?”

“Parthibendran and Vandiyathevan have come with the prince. From here, Periya Pazhuvettarayar has arrived with the young queen. I hear that many minor kings from Nadu Nadu and Thirumunaippadi regions have also been invited…”

“Tirukkovalur Malayaman…”

“He accompanied the prince as far as the Manimudda River and then turned back…”

“That valiant old man will not remain idle. By now, he must have begun gathering his forces. I hear that the great Velan of Kodumbalur is coming from the south with a large army. Only God can save this kingdom from disaster. Thirumalai! On your way here, did you hear what the people of Chola Nadu are talking about?”

“They are mostly speaking about the sea accident that befell the younger prince. They are furious with the Pazhuvettaraiyars. Some even include us in their complaints…”

“Yes, yes; they do have reason to complain. Thirumalai! I am seriously considering relinquishing this post of Chief Minister soon…”

“Guru! If you do so, I too will gain my freedom. I will spend my days in bliss, traveling the land and singing the hymns of the Alwars. When are you planning to resign your post, sir?”

“I intend to make one last attempt to protect the kingdom from disaster; once that is done, I shall step down…”

“What is that attempt, Guru?”

“The most important first step in that endeavor has already been taken. Thirumalai! I have succeeded in a task you had abandoned as impossible…”

“There is nothing surprising in that, sir! What is that task?”

“I had asked you to find and bring here a mute woman who wanders about the island of Eezham like one possessed, hadn’t I? You returned and told me you could not accomplish it, didn’t you?” asked Aniruddha.

“Yes, sir! That mute woman…”

“Last night, she was brought to our palace.”

“Ah! Astonishing! Astonishing! How did you accomplish this?”

“I anticipated that the mute woman would come to Kodikkarai to find out whether the younger prince had survived or not. I had sent men to bring her if she arrived. Fortunately, she came without much trouble. Listen to this curious tale, Thirumalai!