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.”