Kalantaka Kandar had been observing the elephant and the palanquin that had entered the fortress with great attention for some time.

“How astonishing this is!” he exclaimed.

“What is astonishing? What is so surprising?” asked Aniruddhar.

“That Prince Madhurantakan should enter the fortress with such pomp! The prince is known to be a man of great modesty, is he not? Does he not usually travel with the curtains of his palanquin drawn?”

“Is it not natural that one day his shyness should be cast aside? He is soon to be crowned, after all!”

“Has it been decided, then, that Madhurantakan is to be crowned? Who has made this decision?”

“Why, the Emperor himself! When all of us went and gave our consent to the Emperor—”

“What use is it if the Emperor decides and we give our consent? Is it not the armies of Kodumbalur who must give their approval? Is it not strange that Prince Madhurantakan should ride so triumphantly into the fortress guarded by them?” said Kalantaka Kandar.

He took a few steps in the direction the elephant had gone, then turned back again.

Then, looking at Periya Pazhuvetaraiyar, he said, “Brother! I do not stand in the way of all of you entering the fortress. But I alone cannot come. Until yesterday, this fortress was under my command; today, I cannot enter it subject to another’s authority. My heart will not allow it. Go and meet the Emperor, and learn what his wishes are. I will remain outside with our forces. Furthermore, Kandamaran has gone in search of Vandiyathevan. I am eager to know what news he will bring. I must find out how Vandiyathevan escaped from the underground prison, and with whose help he got out. Forgive me, and all of you proceed into the fortress!” he said. The Velar of Kodumbalur opened his mouth to say something. But before he could speak, the elder Pazhuvettarayar approached and said, “Commander! This fool’s mind has become completely muddled. Let him go to ruin if he wishes; let us leave, come!”

However, when these matters were reported to the Emperor the next day, he did not agree with the elder Pazhuvettarayar’s opinion. He insisted that Kaalandhakandar must come.

“My beloved generals! You are all worthy of my trust. But among you all, the one in whom I placed the greatest trust was the fortress-keeper, Kaalandhakandar. Why has he not come? Until he arrives, the matter for which I have summoned you all cannot be concluded!” he declared.

The elder Pazhuvettarayar said, “Emperor! Forgive me! Any decision I agree to, my brother will also accept! It is not necessary that he must come here in person!”

“It is known throughout the world that, just as Lakshmana was to the sovereign Rama, so is Kaalandhakandar to you. Even so, why has he not come today? In all the important councils I have held here before, the younger Pazhuvettarayar has always been present. We have never made a decision without consulting