Nandini was momentarily startled upon seeing Vandiyathevan and Manimekalai inside the hunting pavilion.

“Oh! How did you come here?” she asked.

“Devi! I came because your friend said it was your command. Only after arriving here did I realize that one should not heed a woman’s counsel,” replied Vandiyathevan.

“Sister! I did not give him advice; I merely begged him to come with me to see you!” said Manimekalai.

Nandini quickly mastered her initial surprise and smiled.

“My dear friend! When we women beseech men, it is as good as giving them advice!” she said.

“Is it only like giving advice? Say rather, Devi, that it is like issuing a command! Saying you had summoned me, the princess here seized me by the hand and dragged me along. The result is that I have now fallen into the clutches of these murderers!” said Vandiyathevan.

“Sir! From what I see here, it does not appear that they are murderers. If I had not come here just now, it seems you would have slain them all yourself!” said Nandini.

“Sister! They are murderers indeed! Just a short while ago, they tied him up together with that tailless monkey!...”

Nandini, with a gentle laugh, said, “Manimekalai! Did you not once say that he hid behind that tailless monkey? Somehow, they seem to have found out about it!”

“Not ‘somehow,’ sister! The very men I told you I saw in this hunting pavilion the day before you arrived—these are they! That day itself they chased after him. Luckily, he escaped from their hands and ran away!...” “Why have you brought him here again today, Manimekalai? For what reason did you lead him along this path?”

“Sister! Just a short while ago, my brother Kandhamaaran said he was going to see you. I brought him this way so that he would not be seen by my brother; it turned out to be for the best. Otherwise, these murderers…”

“Sister! They are not murderers. They have not come to kill him. Two or three times now, he has fallen into their hands alone, yet they have spared his life. You can ask him yourself and learn the truth.”

“If that is so, who are they, sister? Is what they said earlier true? Are they known to you? Have they come to take you away?” Manimekalai asked in astonishment.

“Yes, friend! They have come to rescue me and take me away. I will explain everything in detail. Both of you, come with me to the next room! Let them remain here!” said Nandini.

Then, turning to Ravidasan, she said, “Sorcerer! If you harm either of these two in any way, I will consider it as harm done to me. Wherever and in whatever situation you may meet them in the future, you must treat them with the utmost respect!”

Ravidasan replied, “Devi! Forgive me. This youth knows our secret signal. It was he who gave the owl’s call just now!”

“From that itself, could you not tell that this brave man is one of us? Sorcerer! Where has your sharp wit gone? Let bygones be bygones. From now on, until I give further instructions, not a sound must be heard here! Be careful!” said Nandini.

Then, Nandini, Manimekalai, and Vandiyathevan entered Nandini’s chamber through the elephant-faced entrance. The door was immediately closed behind them.

“Sister! You are very clever! It was wise of you to bring him through the hunting pavilion. Your brother has just left from here. He said he was going to bring Aditya Karikalan. I must send you away before he returns. I must also bid you farewell!” said Nandini.

“Akka! What is this? Didn’t you say you were sending him to learn the truth about your husband? But now you say you are bidding him farewell?” asked Manimekalai.

“After speaking with your brother, I have changed my mind, dear sister! Whether Pazhuvetaraiyar is alive or not, I can no longer remain here. And it is dangerous for this brave man to stay here any longer, sir! You must leave this place at once. Even if you do not care for your own life, at least for the sake of this woman, leave immediately!” said Nandini.

“Akka! If he is going, ask him to take me with him. After you and he are gone, I cannot bear to remain imprisoned in this palace!” said Manimekalai.

“Princess! You have not understood the mind of the Queen of Pazhuvur. She says that if she leaves this place, you may marry Aditya Karikalan and become the Empress of the Thanjai Empire!” said Vallavaraiyan.

“No, I did not say that. I do not wish for any woman to have the misfortune of marrying Aditya Karikalan. Least of all, should that fate befall Manimekalai, who is dearer to me than my own life. Sir! You are twisting my words to suit your will. If you escape now, perhaps one day you may have the fortune to take this woman’s hand in marriage! Manimekalai! If your love for him is true, urge him to leave this place at once!” said Nandini.

“Rani! I am ready to go. But I beg one thing from you. If you give it to me, I will leave immediately!” said Vandiyathevan.

“Sir! What is there in my possession that you would ask for? Tell me!”

“There is a sword with the fish emblem in your keeping. If you give it to me, I will leave. You know that I lost my own sword in the Kollidam river, do you not?” said Vandiyathevan.

“Sir! There are plenty of swords and spears in the hunting pavilion. You may take whichever you wish and depart this very moment. Why do you ask for the only weapon a woman like me has kept to protect her own life?”

“Devi, is it only to protect your own life that you perform puja to that sword? Tell me the truth!”

“I keep that dagger not only to protect my life, but