As soon as the subject of the underground prison was mentioned, old memories flooded the mind of the Younger Pazhuvettaraiyar. Forgetting the formalities of customary speech, he said, “Yes; you have been to the underground prison once. You went with the Young Princess. Was it not to find out information about a spy who had escaped after coming to gather intelligence?”

“No, sir! What you say is not correct. We did not go to the underground prison that day to find out about the spy. We went to learn about the messenger whom Prince Aditya Karikalan had sent with a palm-leaf letter.”

“That may have been what you thought. But how do you know whether he was a spy or a messenger? You are just a young girl who knows nothing. There is no use debating this with you. The fact is, you went there! Did you find out anything about him?”

“No, the one we went to see managed to escape without even your knowledge. The command of the Young Queen of Pazhuvoor, Nandini Devi, overtook us. Alas! What could you have done?”

The Younger Pazhuvettaraiyar bit his lips. Was it not because his elder brother had given too much importance to the Young Queen, disregarding his own warnings, that even young women like this had begun to speak so boldly? Though a sense of shame arose within him at this thought, he did not show it outwardly. Instead, he said, “And for your part, you released a half-madman!”

“Sir! You mean Sendhan Amudhan, who is now performing flower service? If you knew how much good has come to the Chola land because we released him that day, you would be astonished!”

“Girl! Nothing can astonish me anymore. I am tired of being surprised at how many people this Chola kingdom is indebted to. Even you, I suppose, have come here now to do some great good for the Chola country?”

“Yes, sir! If it were not for an important matter, would your elder brother have sent me? And would he have sent me, an innocent, ignorant girl?”

“My elder brother’s cleverness seems to be ever increasing. It is evident from the fact that he sent you. Quickly tell me the message you have brought!”

“He asked me to tell you that it was a mistake to be careless about the Pandya country conspirators. Some of Veera Pandiyan’s sworn followers are indeed hatching a terrible plot; they have set a date to take revenge on the Chola dynasty. He asked me to warn you to keep the Emperor safe at all costs…”

Hearing this, Kalandhaga Kandar laughed. “Is this the grave news he sent you to deliver? For a moment, I thought perhaps you had come to inform me that your great father is marching here with his army. If he is watching the Kodumbalur forces from outside, I am watching over the Emperor inside the fort to ensure nothing befalls him. Neither he, nor you, nor even the Young Princess need worry about that!” he said.

“Sir! Knowing that you would take it so lightly, he sent another message as well. You had warned him that a certain sorcerer was frequently visiting the palace of the younger queen of Pazhuvoor. He ignored your warning and grew angry with you. ‘Brother! I have committed a great mistake. That sorcerer, Ravidasan, is none other than the Pandya conspirator. He is the leader of Veera Pandiyan’s sworn followers. He has vowed to utterly destroy the Chola dynasty. One of his men will attempt to take revenge on the Emperor today; do not be careless. Be on the utmost guard’—this is the message Periya Pazhuvettarayar has sent you! I have done my duty…”

Kalandhaga Kandar was somewhat taken aback. No one but the elder himself could have sent such a message.

“Girl! If this is true, why did he not come here at once? Why did he send you…?”

“He did not send me. He told the Young Princess. The Young Princess sent me. Danger threatens Aditya Karikalan as well today. So he has turned back to protect him.”

“From where? Where did he see you?”

“He saw me at the astrologer’s house in Kudanthai. If you still have doubts, listen to this as well. When your elder brother was crossing the Kollidam by boat, a storm struck and the boat capsized. He barely escaped and swam ashore…” While lying in the guardhouse, he had overheard and learned of the conspirators’ plans.

“Sir! Must we stand here and continue talking? Or shall we proceed to the palace?”

“Girl! Let everything you say be true. No matter what kind of conspirator one may be, it is impossible to cross the fort’s guards. It is only because you are a woman that I have allowed you inside…”

“What does it mean to insist one must come from outside? What if the conspirators are already within the fort…?”

“That is something that could never happen, not even for a single day…”

“Very well; that is your responsibility. As for my duty—”

“You have fulfilled it. Now you may return.”

“No, sir! I have only completed half my duty. Only if I see the Emperor and deliver the message from the Young Princess will my task be truly done…”

“You may tell that message to me as well.”

“That is not possible. The Young Princess has commanded that I deliver it directly to the Emperor. Here, this is the Young Princess’s signet ring!…”

“Ah! The signet ring seems to pass through many hands. What proof is there that it was the Young Princess herself who gave it to you? Your great father has besieged this very fort. How can I trust you?…”

“Are you afraid that some danger may befall you at the hands of a helpless woman?”

“Girl! The lineage of Pazhuvur knows not the meaning of fear…”

“In that case, allow me to go up to the palace. You may accompany me as well…”