Of all those astonished by the approaching horses, the first to regain his composure was Ravidasan.

“Devi! This false Vaishnavan has revealed his true colors. How many times have I warned you, ‘He is a spy, do not trust him!’ He has brought his men here to capture us. But he cannot catch us—not even his deity Narayana could do so. Come, let us leave! Before the horses arrive, we can climb up the hill!” said the sorcerer.

Azhwarkkadiyan said, “Nandini! Do not go with these criminals! Enough of the disasters that have befallen you because you joined them!”

Nandini turned to Azhwarkkadiyan and said, “Thirumalai! I have been asking you for a long time—do you remember? I begged you to take me to my mother. If you promise to take me to her now, I will come with you; otherwise, I will go with them.”

“Nandini! That is no longer possible for me…” Thirumalai began, but Ravidasan interrupted, “What can he do? I will take you! Come with me!”

“Yes, yes; he will take you to your mother—in the land of Yama! Just as he killed your mother, he will kill you and send you to the world of the dead! Nandini! You must not remain in the company of these murderers any longer. One among them is your mother’s killer! Look at the sorcerer’s face! It is written there—‘murderer’!” cried Azhwarkkadiyan.

With rage boiling on his face, Ravidasan shouted, “Lies! Lies!”

The signs of frenzy, which had just subsided, now flickered again in Nandini’s eyes.

“Thirumalai! Is this true? Has my mother truly died? Will I never see her again?” she asked. “If you have any doubts, here—ask this girl and find out. One among them, Soman Sambavan, is the very one who hurled the spear and killed your mother; she saw it with her own eyes. She followed the man who killed her aunt! Poonguzhali! Speak!” said Azhwarkkadiyan.

“Yes! I saw it with my own eyes! I came here only to avenge the man who killed my aunt!” said Poonguzhali.

Nandini laughed with the frenzy of a madwoman. “You came to avenge? Revenge! Revenge! Is it not enough that I alone have taken revenge?” she cried, and then, turning to Ravidasan, said, “Traitor! Outcaste! Is this what you have done?”

“Queen! You are mistaken! I have committed no treachery. Soman Sambavan hurled the spear at the Emperor. That mute madwoman fell across his path and died! It was her fate! Now, what do you say? Are you coming with us or not? Look, the horses are drawing near!” he said.

It seemed as if Nandini did not even hear his words. Suddenly, she sat down on the ground. She covered her face with both hands, pressing her eyes shut. Her whole body shook as she sobbed uncontrollably. Amidst her weeping, a wild, crazed laughter mingled.

Ravidasan turned to his men and said, “Run! Run and climb the mountain! There is no use trusting the Queen any longer.” They all fled.

Ravidasan, turning to the Vaishnavite, said, “Vaishnavan! Here, take your reward for your mischief!” With that, he struck the Vaishnavite on the head with his staff and took to his heels.

Azhwarkkadiyan, saying, “Namo Narayana!” rubbed his head once.

All those who fled entered the mountain cave. After a short while, they stood near the summit of the hill, at the spot where the Kanari river tumbled down as a waterfall.

At the same time, the horses reached the foot of the hill. Because there was no proper path and huge rocks were scattered everywhere, it had taken the horses this long to arrive.

Azhwarkkadiyan saw that among those who came on horseback, the ones in front were Chinna Pazhuvettarayar and Kandhamaaran. Behind them, he saw Sendhan Amudhan, tied with ropes to one of the horses.

“Come! Come! You have arrived at just the right moment,” he said. Chinna Pazhuvetarayar and Kandhamaaran leapt down from their horses. Their attention first fell upon Nandini, who sat below, weeping uncontrollably.

Kandhamaaran went to Nandini’s side. He tried to say something, but no words would come from his mouth.

Chinna Pazhuvetarayar turned to Alwarkadiyan and asked, “Vaishnavan! How did you come here? For what purpose have you come?”

“Commander! I came searching for the same person you were seeking. Periya Pazhuvetarayar is inside that cave!” he replied.

“Is it true? Is he alive?” Chinna Pazhuvetarayar asked eagerly.

“Yes, he is still alive. Even Yama, the god of death, would fear to approach your elder brother! So, the attempt those murderers made did not succeed in his case!” With these words, he pointed to Ravidasan and his companions, who stood atop the Thirumalai hill.

“Who are they? Why do you call them murderers?”

“They are the sorcerer Ravidasan and his band, members of Veerapandiyan’s secret rescue force. They are the ones who tried to kill the Emperor. They are also the sinners who murdered Prince Aditya Karikalan!” said Thirumalai.

Kandhamaaran interrupted, “Lies, lies! The one who killed the Prince was Vandiyathevan! Are you trying to hide the crime your friend committed?”

“Fool! Be silent!” Chinna Pazhuvetarayar rebuked him harshly.

Then, turning to the Vaishnavan, he asked, “Did they also try to kill the steward? How did he escape?”

“It was only with the help of the young queen of Pazhuvur, who sits here weeping, that he escaped!”

“Why is the young queen weeping?”

“She heard that her mother has died. That is why she weeps! Can we not inquire about all this later?”

"Yes, yes! I must see Periya Pazhuvetarayar first; you go and tell him that I have arrived!"

Even at that moment, Chinna Pazhuvetarayar’s awe and reverence for his elder brother had not diminished in the least. Therefore, he hesitated to go and see his brother suddenly.

"Sir! Your elder brother will not go anywhere now. I will go and inform him of your arrival. But—are you not going to do anything to catch those murderers?"

Chinna Pazhuvetarayar pressed