All this while, Sambuvaraiyar had been sitting motionless. Now, he sprang up and seized Kandanmaran’s hand.

“You fool! What deed were you about to commit?” he cried.

“Father! What is wrong in killing this treacherous friend?” asked Kandanmaran.

“What is wrong, you ask? By doing so, you, I, and our ancient Sambuvaraiyar clan will be utterly destroyed. If you kill him, will not the blame fall upon us for murdering both the prince and him together? Do you not understand even this?” demanded his father.

“Who has the power to accuse us thus? And even if someone dares to lay such a charge, will he live long enough to see another day?” retorted Kandanmaran.

“Alas! Rash child! Is this the time and place to display your courage and valor? It is because I listened to your counsel from the very beginning that all this calamity has befallen our house! It was you who brought the great Pazhuvettaraiyar and the other petty kings into this house. It was you who secretly brought Prince Madurantaka here. And through your precious friend, all of this has become known to everyone. Then, it was you who brought Aditya Karikalan here from Kanchi! Oh! I never imagined it would end like this! Malayaman—the ancient enemy of our clan—is now approaching with a great army. What shall I tell him?... And Pazhuvettaraiyar too has left for his town at this very moment!” Sambuvaraiyar cried, striking his forehead in despair.

Tears brimmed in Kandanmaran’s eyes. “Father! Do not torment yourself needlessly. For the disaster that has come to pass because of me, I alone shall bear the punishment. I await your command—whatever you order, I shall do!” he said.

“First, take this girl and leave her in the women’s quarters! If she utters a word, gag her mouth, bind her hands and feet, and leave her there! If not, lock her up in the secret chamber!” ordered Sambuvaraiyar.

Manimekalai, seeing the fierce wrath that had overtaken her beloved father, trembled in fear. Now she understood that there was no immediate danger to Vandiyathevan.

“Father! Forgive me, I will act according to your command. Kandhamaaran need not touch me. I myself will go at once to the women’s quarters where the mothers are!” Saying this, she walked away quickly from there.

Kandhamaaran followed her.

As soon as they left, Sambuvaraiyar turned to the men who had come with him and ordered, “Tie him to that cot, binding his legs tightly!”

The men approached Vandiyathevan. He remained calm. Even as they tied him to the cot, binding his legs, he offered no resistance. Once they had finished, he spoke:

“Sir! Think for a moment! I am a close friend, privy to the secrets of Karikalan. What benefit would I gain by killing him? In truth, the murderers escaped through the underground passage. Try to pursue and capture them. I have seen them. If you untie me, I will come with you and help catch them! I will not attempt to escape!”

“Ah! If what you say is true, what were you doing when Karikalan was murdered? Were you just watching the spectacle?” asked Sambuvaraiyar.

“Sir, when the Lady of Pazhuvoor and Karikalan were talking, suddenly the assassins entered. When I tried to stop them, a fearsome-looking Kalamukan seized me by the throat and strangled me. I lost consciousness. When I regained my senses, I saw Aditya Karikalan lying dead!” said Vandiyathevan.

At that moment, a loud commotion arose beyond the wall of the palace. It sounded like the roar of thousands of angry voices.

Sambuvaraiyar listened intently. Turning to Vandiyathevan, he said, “Very well! Even if what you say is true, stay here for a while! Be a companion to your dear friend, the prince! I will go and see what that uproar is about and return. Then I will learn your side of the story in full!” With these words, Sambuvaraiyar departed. His men followed him. As they left, by Sambuvaraiyar’s order, they locked the door of the room and fastened it from the outside.

Once again, darkness enveloped that chamber. In Vandiyathevan’s heart, an unspeakable anguish took hold! He reflected on all that had transpired since the day, some months ago, when he first arrived at this Kadambur Sambuvaraiyar palace. He recalled the comet he had seen in the sky at that time, and the talk among the people about it. Because the tailed star had appeared in the heavens, everyone believed that Sundara Chozhar’s final days were drawing near. Since Sundara Chozhar had been ailing for a long time, it was only natural for the people to expect such an end. Thus, they also began to discuss who would ascend the throne after him. Here in this very palace, the minor kings had gathered and spoken of these matters. But what everyone expected was one thing; what actually happened was quite another.

The young and valiant Aditya Karikalan had perished. His lifeless body now lay in this very chamber. Sundara Chozhar, though stricken by illness, still lived. But would he live for much longer? Would he survive even after hearing the news of his beloved son’s untimely death? Alas! How eagerly the father had longed to see his son! Was it not for his father’s sake that Karikalan had built the golden palace at Kanchi? Yet, before he could welcome and serve his father in that golden palace, the prince had departed this world. Who knows what further consequences will unfold from this? The entire Chola Empire is about to be submerged in a flood of sorrow. And is that all? Who can say what kinds of internal strife will arise? Surely, great conflict will break out among the minor kings. The commotion he had heard outside a short while ago must have been the noise made by Malayaman’s soldiers! Why had they shouted so? Were they about to attack this Kadambur palace? For what reason? Perhaps the news of Karikalan’s death had already reached them.