Chapter 29 - "Our Guest"

After the poets left, the palace physician brought medicine to the emperor. Malaiamman's daughter Pattatharasi took it with her own hand and gave it to her husband.

The younger Pazhuvertaraiyar, who had been waiting patiently till then, went to the emperor, dragging Vandhiyathevan by his grip.

"Prabhu! Do you see any benefit from the new medicine?"

"The doctor says he sees the benefit; Devi also says; But I was not convinced. Truth be told, Commander! All this seems futile. My destiny is calling me. I think Yama has gone to Pazhaiyarai in search of me. When he finds out that I am not there, he will come to this place in search of me..."

"Prabhu! You should not speak like this. You mustn't upset us all like this. Their ancestors..."

"Ah! You say that my ancestors were not afraid of Yama! If I, like many of my ancestors, had the privilege of dying in the forefront of battle, I would not fear such a death; I will not be discouraged. I will welcome you with enthusiasm. My great grandfather Rajaditya died fighting on an elephant in Thakkolam. He established the valour of the Chola tribe forever on the battlefield of Thakkolam. He became famous as 'Thevar who slept on an elephant'. What fame will I gain? Shall I not be known as 'Sundara Cholan who dunjiya on his sick bed'? My other great father, Kandarathitha Thevar, was engaged in Shiva Bhakti and had given up the fear of death. He went on pilgrimage to the countries of the west coast. He died there. He also came to be known as the 'Westerner Thevar'. I am not a devotee of Shiva like him; I was unable to go on pilgrimages. How long will I lie like this? A burden to all who belong to me... But something is saying in my mind. That I will not be on this earth for long..."

"Emperor! The palace physician says they are in no danger. Astrologers say there is no danger. But this little boy was telling you about some danger...."

"Ah! Isn't he a child from Kanchi? Yes, he said, there was some danger; What were you talking about, brother? What about my condition?"

Vallavarayan's brain worked at lightning speed. If he admits that he had warned him of danger, he is sure to be in danger. You have to escape from that predicament. Right; Let's try a strategy. With the help of grammar, you can make a needle into a kuril!

"Emperor! Who am I to tell you about danger? What danger will come when our brave commander Chinna Pazhuvertaraiyar, the palace doctor and a queen like Savithri Amman are there? 'Abhayam' 'Abhayam' I appealed to you. I am an ignorant boy left to represent the old Varnar tribe. I am serving the Chola empire to please your holy sons. Grant us to return at least a small part of our old ancestral kingdom to our servant. King of kings! Abhaya! Abhaya! This ignorant boy is your fear!" said Vallavaraiyan breathlessly.

Hearing this, Pazhuvertaraiyar's face scrunched up. Sundara Cholar's face brightened again. The Queen's face beamed with compassion.

"Goddess Saraswathi must have written on his tongue as soon as this child was born! His eloquence is amazing!" said Devi.

Saying that this is the time, Vandhiyathevan said, "Mother! I want you to say a word of intercession for me. I am a fatherless orphan; I have no other support, and I must make my own request. You should speak for me as Parvathi Devi speaks to Paramasiva and Lakshmi speaks to Mahavishnu. Even if we give back ten villages in our native kingdom, I will be very satisfied!"

Sundara Cholar was surprised and happy to hear all this. He looked at the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar and said, "Commander! I like this young man very much. Looking at Devi's face, she seems to be thinking of adopting him as her third child. His request can be granted, can't we? Wouldn't it be difficult? What is your opinion?"

"What is the place for my servant's opinion in this? Shouldn't we know Prince Karikalar's opinion?" said the Thanjai fortress commander.

"Emperor! He says that if you ask the prince, you should ask Pazhuvur Thevar. Pazhuvur Thevar says he should ask the prince. My request between the two..."

"Bhai! Don't you worry! Let's ask both of them together!" said the emperor.

Then he looked at the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar and said, "Commander! This child brought a letter from the prince. Adithan has written in a letter that I should come to Kanchi as before. He has built a new golden palace there. I want to stay there for a few days!"

"Do as you please!" said the fortress commander.

"Ah! You will act as I will. But my legs refuse. It is impossible to travel to Kanchi. The thought of travelling in a palanquin with a curtain on it is disgusting to me. I have to write a re-letter to Athitha Karikalan to come here and leave ..."

"Can the prince leave Kanchi and come here at this time? Our enemies in the north are still strong!"

"Parthipenthiran and Malaiamman will watch from there. Something in my heart tells me that the prince must be here by my side at this time. Not only that; Ilango, who has gone to Eezha Nadu, should also be invited to come here immediately. I want to talk to both of you about something important. When Arulmozhi comes here, you can also convey your objection to sending food to the Eelam army..."

"Emperor! I'm sorry. I have no objection to sending food to Eelam. The master did not object. The citizens of Chola Nadu object. In the last harvest the yield in the Chola country had declined. When there is not enough for our own people, the people object to sending rice by ship to Ilankai! Now they are muttering in their mouths. In a few days, the clamour of the people will get stronger. Their cries will be heard even inside this palace to affect their health..."

"Arulmozhi will never want to do something that the citizens object. After all, let him come here once and leave. When the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar arrives, he can decide whether to send someone to Ilankai; When is he coming back?"

"He'll be back tonight!"

"You can send a letter to Kanchi tomorrow. Can't you send that letter to this child as well?"

"This boy has come from Kanchi in one breath. Let him stay here for a few days and rest. You can send the letter to someone else."

"Just do it. He can stay here even until the prince comes!"

At this time Malaiamman's daughter stood up and the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar said, "I have given you trouble to speak for a long time today. I'm sorry. It's been long enough for Devi to warn you!"

"Commander! This child is our guest. Give him the necessary facilities. If only the emperor was ill, he could have asked him to stay in his palace!" said Malaiamman's daughter.

"I'll take care of it, madam! You don't have to worry about that. I will take good care of it!" said the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar. Then, involuntarily, one of his hands touched his moustache and twirled it.