Sundara Chozhar was overcome with astonishment. Who was it that descended in such a manner, along the edge of the pillars from the upper storey? For what reason should anyone come thus! Memories of the confusing dreams he had seen earlier flashed through his mind. Was this too a vision conjured by sleep? Had he not yet fully awakened from his slumber? To resolve this doubt, Sundara Chozhar closed his eyes once more. After remaining thus for a moment, he opened his eyes wide and looked towards the direction in which that figure had descended. There was nothing there now. Ah! That apparition must have been a mere illusion.

He recalled the events that had occurred before he fell asleep. The Chief Minister, his attendant, and the daughter of Thiyagavidangar, who sang so sweetly, seemed to have left after he had drifted into sleep. The daughter of Malayaman and the nursemaids, as usual, must be waiting in the adjoining chamber. The Emperor felt a pang of regret as he remembered the complaint he had voiced to the Chief Minister about Kundavai. Kundavai was a woman of unparalleled wisdom and foresight. It was she who had arranged for the prince to remain in Nagapattinam, so that no confusion would arise in the kingdom. It was his own mistake to have misunderstood her intentions. For some time now, Sundara Chozhar had been aware that his mind was not in its proper state. Then, what was the use of being angry with the princess? It was best to do everything according to her counsel. Now, the most important matter was to summon the prince from Nagapattinam. O Lord! May no harm befall him because of the storm! He must ask Kundavai about this at once. Sundara Chozhar thought to clap his hands and summon those waiting in the next room…

But what was this? It seemed as though someone was moving about near his head! Yet the footsteps were so soft—like the tread of a cat, a tiger, or some other beast. Who could it be? Could it be the daughter of Malayaman? His own daughter? The nursemaid? Were they walking so softly so as not to disturb his sleep?

“Who is it?” Sundara Chozhar asked in a gentle voice.

There was no reply. “Who is that? Come here, show yourself!” Sundara Chozhar called out in a somewhat raised voice. There was no reply.

A thought struck Sundara Chozhar, one that filled him with confusion and dread. ‘Could it be her? Or her spirit? Has the huntress who appeared in my dreams now come before me in the flesh? Has she arrived at midnight, adorned in garments and jewels, standing in the front hall? Or perhaps it is already midnight? Have I slept for so long? Is that why the Malaiyaman’s daughter and my own daughter are not here? Have the nursemaids too fallen asleep? Alas! Why have they left me alone? If that accursed daughter of the Karaiyar has come, she will not let me go so easily. Will she not torment me until my heart bursts with agony?’

‘Wretched woman! If it is truly you, come before me and finish it! Torment me as much as you wish, in every way you desire, and then leave! Why do you hover above my head, unseen, stealing my life away? Come forward! Have you come seeking a blood sacrifice? Come! Come! You always kept a dagger in your lap, didn’t you? Kill me with the same blade that slew tigers and bears! But do not harm my children! Do not take revenge on them for the crime I committed! They have done you no wrong! It was I who betrayed you! Was it I who told you to climb to the top of the lighthouse and leap into the sea to your death? Why do you torment me for that dreadful deed you yourself committed?...’

Sundara Chozhar sensed a form standing very close above his head. His body trembled with terror. It felt as if his entrails rose up from his stomach and blocked his chest! Then, as if his heart rose and choked his throat. His eyes seemed about to burst from their sockets. There was no doubt—she had come and was standing before him. Her spirit had come. She had come, just as he had feared, to exact the final blood vengeance. She would stab him in the chest and kill him. Or perhaps she would strangle him with her bare hands. Whatever her intent, let it be fulfilled! There was no more use in his living. If that ghost took her revenge and left, perhaps she would spare his children.

If he could just raise his head a little and look up, Sundara Chozhar felt he would see the ghostly form of the Mandakini spirit with his own eyes. It seemed as though that form was standing so close above his head. Even its shadow fell upon his face.

It seemed as though something had fallen. For a moment, he thought to lift his head and look, but he did not have the courage. “I will shut my eyes tightly. Let it do what it will and be gone,” he resolved, and closed his eyes.

He remained thus for a while; as he had feared, no sharp knife descended upon his chest. Nor did two ghostly hands seize his throat and strangle him. That form, the figure that had stood above his head, seemed to have moved away from there. Ah, the daughter of the Karaiyar would not let me go so easily. How long will she keep me alive and torment me as she pleases? Perhaps today she has vanished without appearing before my eyes! Well, well, I can call for someone. If anyone comes into this room, even if she is still here, she will disappear at once!

“Who is there? Where has everyone gone?” cried Sundara Chozhar in a loud voice, opening his eyes.

Ah! Who is