From the place where the council of ministers had convened, Boothi Vikrama Kesari emerged and swiftly mounted the horse waiting there. He spurred it toward the northern gate of Thanjai fort. At that very moment, he noticed an elephant approaching the northern gate. Upon the elephant sat a mahout and two women. The mahout placed the horn he held to his lips and blew a long note. Then, in a high, piercing voice that rang out clear and sharp, he proclaimed:

“Parantakan of Eezhathu’s daughter, the cherished child of the young Velar of Kodumbalur, the foster daughter of Commander Boothi Vikrama Kesari of Kodumbalur, the beloved companion of Princess Kundavai Devi of Pazhaiyarai, Vanathi Devi herself is arriving! Make way! Make way!”

As the elephant reached the edge of the moat near the fort gate, the mahout once again blew the horn. Before the echo had faded, he cried out in the same shrill voice:

“Princess Vanathi of Kodumbalur brings a message from the younger princess to the Emperor! She brings important news from Periya Pazhuvettarayar to Chinna Pazhuvettarayar! Open the fort gates! Make way! Make way for Princess Vanathi of Kodumbalur and her companion Poonguzhali Amma! Open the fort gates at once!”

Hearing the mahout’s proclamation, Commander Boothi Vikrama Kesari was struck with astonishment beyond words. Where had he heard that mahout’s voice before? When, and where? Who could he be? But what did it matter who the mahout was? First, he must see whether it was indeed Vanathi upon the elephant. He must prevent her from entering the fort.

If it was Vanathi, all would be well! Until these troubles were resolved, it would be best for the child to remain with him… With these thoughts, the commander urged his horse forward and drew near the elephant. One of the soldiers following him brought a torch, and by its light he saw that the two women atop the elephant were indeed Vanathi, daughter of the young Velar, and Poonguzhali.

“Child! Vanathi!” he began to say something, but the mahout once more raised the horn to his lips and began to blow. How to stop him? Fortunately, at that moment, the women atop the elephant noticed who was approaching them on horseback… They looked closely. Immediately, Vanathi said something to the mahout, who stopped the elephant’s trumpet, and then she exclaimed, “Periyappa! Is it truly you? What I heard is indeed true!”

“Yes, child! It is I. But what is this strange affair? How is it that you have come, bearing tidings? Has no one else from the Ilaiya Piratti managed to get through? Especially in such a situation as this!” said the Commander-in-Chief.

“Yes, Periyappa! It is precisely because of this situation that she sent me with the message. News had reached us that you had arrived with your army and surrounded the Tanjore fort. If she had sent someone else, your soldiers might have stopped them. Even if you had granted permission, those inside the fort might