The palanquin in which the princesses were seated drew near to Ponniyin Selvan’s horse.

Vandiyathevan, who had reined in his horse a little behind, called out, “Careful! That dangerous palanquin of the princesses is about to collide with our gentle horse!”

At almost the same spot, he remembered, he had once driven his horse into Nandini’s closed palanquin and then shouted, “The palanquin is running into my horse!” That incident had taken place not even six months ago. Yet, in this short span, how many important events had transpired!

Kundavai, suppressing the delight that Vandiyathevan’s words brought her, said, “Brother! Looking at you both, it seems as though you are discussing some joyous matter! Your faces are positively radiant with happiness!”

“Yes, Akka! We were indeed talking about a happy subject. But it may not bring as much joy to your friend Vanathi. My wedding day is drawing near, is it not? We were rejoicing at the thought of the maiden I am to wed, the one I love. We were speaking of her beauty and grace!” said Ponniyin Selvan.

The faces of the two women, which had just moments before been bright and shining, suddenly clouded over. Vanathi bowed her head. On Kundavai’s face, anger, surprise, doubt, and irritation flickered and faded in quick succession.

“What is this shameless talk? What pleasure do you find in causing this girl pain?” she demanded.

Vanathi lifted her head and looked at Kundavai. “Akka, what are you saying? Why should I be pained?” she asked.

Ponniyin Selvan, without replying to either, stood there with a smile blooming on his face. Seeing this, the younger princess said, “Was it not to the banks of the Kollidam that you went and returned? Which maiden did you see there? What village? What name? What clan?” she asked, her questions tumbling out one after another. At that moment, Vandiyathevan interjected, “Devi! We have not seen any noble maiden whom the prince is to wed. All along this bank of the Five Rivers, we have only gazed in wonder at the resplendent Lady of the Land herself. We spoke of the natural beauty of Chola Nadu as we traveled. Is not the day drawing near when the prince will be crowned emperor of this beautiful country? It is about his love for these two maidens of the earth that he was speaking!”

“Ah! My brother never used to speak so eloquently before. It seems you have taught him this art!” she said.

Arulmozhi Varman laughed and replied, “My friend! You must take the credit! Did I not already tell you that all these clever tricks and spells have come to me only after your friendship? Now, it seems my sister thinks the same!”

“What is this baseless accusation! Both sister and brother have conspired to lay the same charge at my feet?” said Vandiyathevan.

“There are still many more accusations against you. There are even some that my brother could not bring himself to mention. All of those cannot be spoken here in the middle of the road!” said Kundavai.

Vandiyathevan said, “My suspicion has proved correct!”

“What did you suspect?”

“I suspected that sending me off as commander of the Eelam expedition was in fact a punishment for my crimes—a sentence of exile to the island!”

“Did you hear that, Akka! Now you see how much faith he has in the gratitude of the Chola clan?”

“It is true—we owe him not the least bit of gratitude!”

“What is this, even you say so?”

“We may express gratitude for the help of strangers. But how can gratitude arise between friends? Have you forgotten what Thiruvalluvar has said? ‘As the hand rushes to help when the garment slips, So friendship comes unbidden in times of trouble!’”

“Should I thank my waist and hands just because I managed to tie up my slipping garment?” asked Kundavai.

“Devi! There is no need for thanks. If you spare me from punishment, that itself will be the greatest favor!” replied Vandiyathevan.

“My brother! You and he—both of you—must remember one thing. Our elder brother, the valiant Karikalan who has attained the warrior’s heaven, sent him here to be of assistance to me. I have not yet released him from that duty!” said Kundavai.

“There is no need to release him, Akka! Even if you sentence him to a lifetime of service, I would gladly accept it!” said the prince.

“There are still some tasks I need him to accomplish for me in Lanka,” said Kundavai.

“Before I leave, I will come to bid you farewell, Devi!” said Vandiyathevan.

“In that case, you must come to Pazhayarai and take leave of me,” said Princess Kundavai.

“Akka, where are you going now?” Arulmozhi Varman asked in some surprise.

“We are going to Thiruvaiyaru. Is today not the sacred Thiruvathirai festival in the month of Margazhi? Sembiyan Maadevi, Madurantakan, and Poonguzhali all left early this morning. Will you be coming as well?” asked Kundavai.

“No, we are not coming now. We did not wish to enter the city of Thiruvaiyaru, so we walked along the riverbank to the west and have just returned.”

“Appar Peruman beheld Kailasa itself at Thiruvaiyaru and was filled with ecstasy. It seems you have no desire to go there. Have you perhaps become fervent Vaishnavites now?”

“It is nothing of the sort. If I go to Thiruvaiyaru, it is my wish to go as Appar Peruman did.”

“How did Appar go?”

“He himself has sung of it in his verses! ‘He went without leaving any trace.’ Without any pomp or display, without revealing that he was Tirunavukkarasar, he walked behind the group of devotees carrying flowers and water for the puja. That is why, in Thiruvaiyaru, he was able to behold Kailasa itself. If we go there with all these royal splendors, we too will not be able to have darshan of the Lord. The people will forget the deity and surround us instead!”

“Yes, yes! That is your