Azhwarkkadiyan, who had so far kept his men hidden, now gathered them together and started walking towards the northern gate of the Thanjai fort. Readers may have already guessed the reason why he did not summon his men when he fought that fierce battle with Karuthiruman. Is it any wonder that he did not wish such crucial and secret information, which he was so determined to uncover, to reach the ears of others?

After he had gone about halfway, he saw a lone man running towards him like one possessed. The man, rushing in the darkness, collided with Azhwarkkadiyan, and then tried to run off again. But Thirumalai Nambi seized him firmly and would not let go. Staring closely at his face, he exclaimed, “Ah! The physician’s son? Where are you running off to in such a panic?”

“Oh! A brave Vaishnavite, is it? I was frightened, thinking you were a ghost or a demon. Good! How far have you come along this bank? Did you see two men riding past on horseback?”

“Yes, I did! Why do you ask about them?”

“Why do I ask? That’s a fine question! If you knew who they were, you wouldn’t ask such a thing! Didn’t you recognize at least one of them?”

“One of them did seem familiar to me, but…”

“Who, who, who did he seem like?”

“He looked like Vandiyathevan. But I decided that couldn’t possibly be.”

“Oh, you wretch! So that’s what you decided! It was Vandiyathevan himself, in the flesh!”

“What are you saying? Are you raving? Wasn’t Vandiyathevan in the underground prison?”

“He was; but not anymore! Vandiyathevan and another madman have escaped from prison. After tying me up, they ran away.”

“Ah! Good for them! But what were your hands doing when they tied you up? And first, why did you go to the underground prison at all?” “I went on the orders of the Prime Minister; there’s no time now to recount all that. Aren’t you also someone who serves the Prime Minister? Come with me! We can catch them and bring them back!…”

“Why should we catch them and bring them back? Let them run away if they wish! What does it matter to you or me?”

“The Prime Minister has managed to keep a good man in his service! If everyone were like you, this Chola kingdom would surely fall to pieces! Don’t you know that Vandiyathevan stands accused of murdering Prince Karikalan? Not only that; just a short while ago, near Amudhan’s hut, he stabbed another man with his spear and then fled…”

“Heavens! What is this? Who was the one stabbed there?”

“I didn’t see who it was. I ran after Vandiyathevan… Fine, fine; if you won’t come with me, then don’t! Don’t block my way! May you earn merit for your troubles! Let me go!”

“Physician’s son! I have seen many fools in this world. You have outdone them all! They ride off on horseback. They risk death and flee. And you, alone and on foot, are going to chase after them and catch them? What is it to me? Go! Go!”

“What you say is true. That’s why I called you to come along as well. But you refuse to come!”

“What would I do if I came? I tried to stop them. One of them struck me hard with his staff. The pain still hasn’t gone away. I’m not used to fighting like this. You, on the other hand… Wait; what’s that in your hand? Isn’t that a bloodstain?”

“They wounded me in the prison when they attacked me. Vile demons!”

“And yet, you’re going to chase after those demons alone and on foot? When they already put you through this suffering while you were locked up in prison…”

“Then what do you suggest I do?”

“I’m not telling you to do anything. Why are you blaming me? If I were in your place, I’d go back, report this to the right people, and bring five or six horsemen along as backup, then return—” “I shall set out on a manhunt. I too will mount a horse, with spear and sword in hand, and only then will I depart…”

The physician’s son pondered for a moment. Someone had stabbed a man near Sendhan Amudhan’s hut and then fled. The thought that it might be none other than Prince Madurantaka, of royal blood, filled him with confusion and anxiety. Yet, as this Vaishnavan said, there was little point in going alone on foot. If, by chance, the man who fell by his dagger near the garden hut was indeed Madurandhaka Devar, it would be best to lay that crime at Vandiyathevan’s door as well. After all, a man who killed one prince could just as well kill another, could he not? The punishment for both would be the same… As he thought thus, Pinagapani began to believe, “It is Vandiyathevan who has killed both princes!”

“Vaishnavan! What you say is right. I will come with you, but you must help me. You must speak to someone suitable and have horsemen sent with me. I do not know why, but I cannot seem to get along with great men. I do not know how to deal with them. Look here, I tried speaking to Commander Kodumbalur Velar and to the Chief Minister Anbil Aniruddhar—about recapturing those who escaped. I begged them to send some warriors with me. Both began to scold me, calling me a fool and an idiot. I do not know what their intention is…”

“What else could it be? They have no trust in you. They do not wish to entrust this task to you. You were deceived right inside the prison, and let the prisoners escape. They must be thinking—where are you going to catch them now?”

“To prove their doubts wrong, I thought of going alone, if need be. Surely, those fugitives must be waiting somewhere near the coast? I know all the places where