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 mad-looking fellow was about to claim himself as his father. With a voice filled with disgust and anger, he demanded, “How do you know? Who are you?”

“I am your father’s servant!” Karuthiruman replied.

At that, Madurantakan’s face cleared.

Karuthiruman stepped a little closer and, in a low voice, said, “Sir! Your father…”

What he whispered fell upon Madurantakan’s ears. Madurantakan’s head spun. He nearly collapsed, but managed to steady himself by gripping Karuthiruman’s shoulders tightly.

“What you say—is it true? Am I truly a royal prince?” he asked.

“Yes, sir! It was to tell you this that I came here many years ago. I have been waiting for the right moment to meet you in private. Unfortunately, the younger Pazhuvetarayar saw me in the palace gardens. He caught me and threw me into the underground prison.”

“When did you escape? How?”

“Only today. I managed to get out with the help of a young man named Vandiyathevan.”

“Ah! I have heard of him too; isn’t he the one accused of killing Karikalan?”

“Yes, sir! But in truth, that youth is not the one who killed Aditya Karikalan!”

“What does it matter to us? Let him be the murderer as far as the world is concerned! Where is he now?”

“He is over there, just a little distance away, hidden behind the fence. He is waiting with two horses for both of us. By now, he must be angry at my delay. But I am not at all concerned about that. I met you here most unexpectedly.”

“When did you arrive here?” asked Madurantakan.

“Just a short while ago. We came upon this hut after noticing two horses nearby. While we were searching for the horses, you and the woman who raised you, along with the torchbearers, came down the road. In that light, we found the horses. After many years, I saw Vani again. While she was speaking in her mute language, you turned back towards this hut. We did not expect you to come here. Vandiyathevan ran off to hide behind the fence. Vani and I stood behind this tree for a while. Then she went into the hut. I alone remained here. Because of that, I have now had the chance to meet you.”

“Well, what do you plan to do next?”

“I will do whatever you command, sir! Now that you know the truth about your birth, are you still going to return to the Tanjore palace? Remember this—there are others who know you are not a prince of the Chola clan. The Prime Minister knows, as does his spy, Alwarkadiyan. Someday, perhaps…”

“Yes, yes! I have no desire to go back to the Tanjore palace either. What do you suggest?”

“There are two horses behind that fence. Pretend as if you are going into the hut, then come towards the fence. I will keep Vandiyathevan occupied in conversation for a while. When the time is right, throw your sword at him and kill him. Then,