When both horse and rider suddenly tumbled to the ground, Kandhamaaran’s mind did not waver in the slightest. Even as he rose to his feet, he seized his spear and stood up. His attention was already fixed on the horse that had reached the opposite bank. The man who had mounted that horse—there was no doubt in Kandhamaaran’s mind—it was Vandiyathevan.

The old friendship Kandhamaaran had once cherished for Vandiyathevan had now turned into bitter enmity. In many ways, he believed, Vandiyathevan had betrayed their bond. For all the disgrace that had befallen him and his family, Vandiyathevan was the cause! The secret Vandiyathevan had learned while staying at his house—he had revealed it to many. He had even told the royal family. Why? Was it out of devotion and loyalty to the Chola dynasty? Not at all! He had betrayed the secret to win their trust, only to betray them in turn! There was no doubt that he had aided the Pandya conspirators. Whether this double treachery was done at Nandini’s instigation or for his own selfish gain, Kandhamaaran could not say. True, he himself had been ensnared for a time in Nandini’s web of illusions! Yet, could he ever have conceived, even in a dream, of committing such terrible acts of betrayal?

Beyond all this, Kandhamaaran’s heart seethed with boundless rage against Vandiyathevan for having corrupted the mind of his beloved sister, Manimekalai. Kandhamaaran had wished to see Manimekalai crowned Empress, adorned with the imperial diadem upon the throne of the empire. But that wretched deceiver had driven that guileless maiden to rave before all, “It was I who killed Karikalan!” Could such a villain, guilty of such heinous crimes, be allowed to escape with his life? Was he to stand by and watch? Never! If he could capture Vandiyathevan alive, that would be best. If not, he must at least return with the grim satisfaction that he had slain him.

With this resolve, Kandhamaaran set out on his human hunt.

Now, his horse had unexpectedly stumbled and fallen. Its survival was doubtful. The same fate had befallen the horse of Pinagapani, the physician’s son. Vandiyathevan had almost reached the opposite bank of the river! It would take a little while for the soldiers following behind to arrive there. Even if they did, it would be impossible for them to cross the flood and reach the other side to capture Vandiyathevan. Therefore, the only thing left to do was to kill him…

All these thoughts flashed through Kandanmaran’s mind in the span of a few moments and vanished. Rising from the ground, he planted his feet firmly, raised the spear in his hand, took careful aim, and hurled it with all his might.

With a sharp “veer” sound, the spear flew through the air and, in the blink of an eye, struck Madurantakan. With a “veel” sound, Madurantakan fell into the water. His horse, startled and confused, tried to scramble up the bank.

All these events, which transpired