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 brought the letter! He is the one who met Nandini Devi in the closed palanquin outside the Tanjore fort and spoke to her in secret. He is the one who once escaped from this very fort. Now again, he has fled from the underground prison!” declared the Younger Pazhuvettaraiyar.

“He is the one who stabbed me in the back and escaped!” said Kandhamaaran.

Prime Minister Aniruddha turned to him and asked, “Why, my son! Was it not you who just now claimed that you had killed him by throwing your spear into his back?”

“Yes, I said so! But did I ever imagine that you all would support this murderer and bring him back to life and deliver him here?” retorted Kandhamaaran.

All this while, Ponniyin Selvan had stood silent and motionless. He had thought that Vandiyathevan, in yet another attempt to escape, had jumped into the river, and, lacking enough skill in swimming, had returned to the shore in confusion and burst into the assembly in this manner. Because of this, the anger he had felt toward Vandiyathevan began to subside a little.

When he heard Kandhamaaran’s last words, Ponniyin Selvan strode forward with dignity and stood beside Vandiyathevan.

“Father! This prince of Vallam is my dearest friend, the one who saved my life in Lanka and in the midst of the sea when I faced mortal danger. I am glad that he has survived. To accuse him is to accuse me!” he declared.

The authoritative tone that resonated in his voice rendered everyone silent for a few moments.

Then, the Chief Minister Aniruddha spoke: “Ponniyin Selva! Think about this for a moment! The man who was said to have perished by the spear of the young Sambuvarayar has somehow returned alive and leapt into our midst. Already, accusations have been cast upon him. Therefore, would it not be wise to investigate and clarify the truth?”

Parthibendran said, “Yes, sir! You are about to ascend the Chola throne tomorrow. No matter how grave the crime, you have the authority to punish or pardon. But is it proper to say that there should be no inquiry at all? Would that not give rise to needless suspicions?”

“In addition to that, our prince must consider another matter. A rumor is spreading that the prince, in order to ascend the throne, sent this Vandiyathevan to conspire and murder his own elder brother. Should we allow such a rumor to gain ground?” said Kandhamaran.

Hearing this, everyone present stood frozen in terror. Only Sambuvarayar stepped forward, struck Kandhamaran sharply on the cheek, and shouted angrily, “You fool! It seems our ancient lineage will be wiped out because of you! There is no one to match you in blurting out nonsense without regard for the situation!”

Kandhamaran glared at his father. His lips quivered. Who knows what he might have done or said in the next instant! Fortunately, at that moment, Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar stepped forward, seized Sambuvarayar, and, his voice rumbling as before, said,