Pinagapani, the physician’s son, had resolved that he would one day rise to a high office in the government. Ever since the day he encountered Vandiyathevan, this ambition had taken root in his heart, sprouting and growing ever taller. In the past, he had not found much success in the ventures he had undertaken. It had seemed as if Nandini Devi had shown him a little kindness, but later the Queen of Pazhuvur had completely forgotten him. When he went to see Princess Kundavai, she did not even deign to speak to him properly. At the gates of the palace at Pazhayarai, when he accused Vandiyathevan of being a spy, all he got in return was a beating—there was no profit in it for him.

But when the Chief Minister Aniruddha summoned him and sent him to Kodikkarai with the task of bringing the Queen back, Pinagapani decided that his rise to high office was now certain. If only he could carry out this mission successfully, there would be nothing he could not attain through the Chief Minister’s favor. After that, his first order of business would be to deal with Vandiyathevan. Then he would humble and subdue the pride of Poonguzhali.

Building such castles in the air, Pinagapani set out for Kodikkarai. There, he slowly won over Rakkammal. She was deceived by him, believing him to be a member of the rescue group, and spoke to him about their efforts. With her help, he found the mute queen and brought her as far as the gates of Tanjore fort.

Throughout this journey, Pinagapani’s mind was constantly at work. He tried to uncover the secrets concerning the mute queen. He recalled the words of the madman he had met when he was once imprisoned in the underground dungeon. At the time, he had dismissed them as the ravings of a lunatic, but now he began to think there might be truth in what the madman had said.

When the palanquin carrying the mute queen neared the Tanjore fort, was it not then that the storm and rain struck and a tree fell upon him? After the wounds from that accident had healed, he went to see Chief Minister Aniruddha. By then, many important events had already occurred. The mute queen had given her life to save the emperor. Karikalan had been murdered. The entire land was in turmoil over who would ascend the throne next. had come under the control of the Kodumbalur Velar within the Tanjore fort. News spread that the Pazhuvettarayar and the minor kings allied with him were gathering their armies. Signs appeared that a great civil war might erupt.

In such a turbulent situation, Pinagapani, the physician’s son, went to see the Prime Minister Aniruddha Brahmarayar. Immersed in a sea of grave worries, Anbil Brahmarayar did not wish to spend much time conversing with Pinagapani. Since the task he had assigned had already been accomplished by the young man, he wanted to reward him and send him away quickly.

But when Pinagapani began to speak about the madman he had met in the underground dungeon, the minister’s interest turned toward him. When he heard that the madman knew the whereabouts of the ancient Pandya kingdom’s jeweled crown and the gem-studded necklace said to have been gifted by Devendra, Aniruddha’s curiosity was greatly piqued. Ever since the time of Emperor Parantaka, many had tried in vain to find and retrieve that crown and necklace. As long as those treasures remained unfound, there would always be someone claiming descent from the Pandya dynasty, rising up to stake a claim.

Aniruddha had already heard from Alwarkadiyan about the midnight drama at Thiruppurambiyam, where a small boy was seated on the Pandya throne and crowned in secret. From time to time, such claimants would arise. The kings of Lanka and the Chera rulers would aid them. If the Pandya country was ever to be formally merged with the Chola Empire, it was necessary that the Chola Emperor himself be crowned in Madurai. At that grand occasion, the Chola Emperor must wear the ancient Pandya crown and the gem-studded necklace.

All these were plans Aniruddha had long since resolved upon. That was why, whenever a Chola commander set out on a campaign to Lanka, Aniruddha would instruct him to search for and bring back the jeweled crown and necklace. Until now, none had succeeded in this task. Now, upon hearing that a man in the underground prison knew their whereabouts, it was only natural that Aniruddha Brahmarayar’s interest was aroused.

The physician’s son brought yet another piece of news. This increased the Prime Minister’s curiosity, but also filled him with anxiety. Pinagapani reported that the madman claimed to know a great secret about the Chola dynasty, and that one of the princes who claimed rights to the Chola throne was, in truth, not of Chola blood at all.

Hearing all this, Aniruddhar at first thought to go himself to the underground prison to see that madman. But then he changed his mind. If he went there, questions would arise—why, for what reason? Neither Malayaman nor the Velaar had complete trust in Aniruddhar. They believed that, according to the Emperor’s wishes, he supported the faction of Madurantakan. If he were to go to the underground prison, it would only give rise to new suspicions in their minds. They might even think he had gone to see Sambuvaraiyar. After carefully considering this matter, Aniruddhar decided to make use of the physician’s son instead. He gave him his signet ring and instructed him to go to the underground prison and see that madman.

Thus, Pinagapani went to see the madman. When he saw that Vandiyathevan was locked up in the adjacent cell, he was filled with delight. Standing at the doorway of that cell for a moment, he tried to converse with Vandiyathevan. But Vandiyathevan did not speak to him. Angered by this, Pinagapani scolded him thoroughly and went to the next cell. In