For a moment, Madurantakan stood rooted to the spot. It seemed as if a battle was raging within him—should he go to the hut, or return to the fortress? Then, as if making up his mind, he walked over to the palanquin that had carried him and spoke a few words to the bearers and the guards. From within the palanquin, he retrieved some object. The men lifted the palanquin and set off, the torchlight moving along with them.

As Madurantakan turned back toward the hut, he suddenly caught sight of a man emerging from behind the very tree where he and the Mahadevar had been standing and conversing just moments before. For an instant, Madurantakan was startled.

It was none other than the so-called “madman” Karuthiruman, who had escaped from the underground dungeon with Vandiyathevan. He still looked every bit the madman. His appearance and his sudden materialization at that spot were enough to send a chill through Madurantakan’s heart—was it any wonder?

The next moment, Madurantakan raised the sharp dagger he had brought from the palanquin.

Karuthiruman held up his hands in supplication. “Sir! Wait! I am not your enemy!”

“If you are not my enemy, then who are you? My friend?” Madurantakan demanded.

“Yes, sir! I am your friend!”

Madurantakan let out a soft, bitter laugh, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow. “A fine friend I have found! When the whole world slips away from me, at least you remain!”

“Yes, sir! I can do for you what no one else in this world can!” Karuthiruman replied.

“And what is that? Speak! Time is short—say it quickly!”

“Why is time short?” Karuthiruman asked, peering intently at Madurantakan.

“To go to the palace, of course! What else?” “Are you truly going to return to the palace to which you have no rightful claim?”

Once again, Madurantakan was struck with shock. “Ah! What are you saying? What do you know? How could you possibly know? Speak quickly! Otherwise…” He raised the dagger in his hand.

“Sir! There is no need to raise your blade. Keep it sharpened for when your enemies stand before you. Just a short while ago, you and the great queen who raised you were standing beneath this very tree, speaking together. Neither of you noticed that I was standing behind the tree…”

“Ah! So you have eavesdropped and learned the secret? Is it with that same boldness that you dare to block my path now?”

“No, no! The news the queen told you, I already knew before this; in fact, I know even more than that. That lady who carried you in her womb and raised you is not your mother, nor is Kandaradithar your father—she told you as much. She may have told you who your mother is. But she would not have told you who your father is.”

Madurantakan stared at him, wide-eyed. “Do you know who he is?” he asked.

“Yes, I know.”

Madurantakan was seized with terror, fearing that this