Vandiyathevan entered the royal audience hall through the entrance reserved for the women of the inner palace. Because of this, he first caught sight of the ladies gathered there. Among them, Poonguzhali, who had been standing a little apart behind the others, turned around at the sound of commotion and was startled to see Vandiyathevan rushing in, drenched and disheveled. The moment he saw her, Vandiyathevan began to recount the calamity that had befallen Manimekalai. His words reached her ears, and also those of the young princess Kundavai and Vanathi, who were standing nearby. The three of them hurried out through the same entrance by which Vandiyathevan had come. Following the trail of dripping water, they quickly traced the path he had taken.

The rest of the people in the hall did not clearly hear Vandiyathevan’s words. Only the cry, “Save her!” reached the ears of a few. Kandanmaran and Parthibendran did not even catch that much; to them, it was nothing but an indistinct, anguished shout.

At first, the two of them, seeing a figure entering through the women’s quarters, wondered if it was the spirit of the departed Vandiyathevan. In those days, many believed that the souls of those who died untimely deaths would linger in this world, unable to depart. “Even if the north wind turns back, it will turn!” said Prime Minister Aniruddha, barely finishing his words when Vandiyathevan appeared before them, soaked and dripping. This uncanny sight only deepened their confusion.

But when the palace guards burst in after Vandiyathevan, agitated and breathless, and seized him, the illusion was dispelled.

“Your Majesty! Forgive us. This madman ran in through the palace gate. We tried to stop him, but he would not listen!” said the guards, attempting to drag Vandiyathevan away with them.

Oh, what a tenacious life this Vandiyathevan possesses! No matter how dire the danger, he somehow escapes and returns! This astonishment arose in Parthibendran’s heart, mingled with a burning anger.

He has run here blindly, not even knowing where he was going, and now he is caught! This time, he must not be allowed to escape again. Thus resolving in a single instant, Parthibendran, forgetting even that he was in the presence of the Emperor… He sprang forward and seized one of Vandiyathevan’s shoulders in a powerful grip.

“This man is not a madman. He is a murderer! The treacherous traitor who killed Aditya Karikalan!” he cried, and with a gesture, he dismissed the servants who had tried to drag Vandiyathevan away.

Following Parthibendran, Kandhamaaran rushed forward and seized Vandiyathevan’s other shoulder tightly. Together, they dragged him and stood him before the throne where Sundara Chola, the Emperor, was seated.

The Emperor looked intently at Vandiyathevan and said, “Are you telling me that this boy, whose face is still as innocent as milk, is the one who killed my son? I cannot believe it! Was it not he who brought me the letter from Aditya Karikalan?”

“Yes, my lord! It was he who