Sumeetha Manikandan's Blog, page 3

Chapter 36: Someone in the Dark!

Nandini accepted the sword from the child whom they called ‘Chakravarthy’ and held it close to her heart. Next, she embraced the child and breathed the scent of his hair while tears streamed from her eyes.
The rest of the gang looked on in surprise and shock, at the turn of the events.
Ravidasan then said, “Devi, I don’t think that ‘Chakravarthy’ has understood what we told him and gave the sword to you on a whim. Let us explain to him the consequences of his action and then try again.”
Nandini...

Chapter 35: Time is near

Built hundred years ago, (at the time of our story) we have seen the memorial temple of Ganga King earlier when the Pandya conspirators met to discuss their next move even while Azhwarkadiyan was spying on them. Ravidasan and his gang along with the boy and Vandiya Devan reached the same place that night.

They dumped Vandiya Devan along with his horse near one end of the wall that was half dilapidated and said, “You can sit here awhile. Don’t even think of escaping. It is impossible. Only thos...

Chapter 34: Firelight Extinguishes

It was Amavasya, the dark night. Dark clouds threatening to pour down anytime, hid the stars well enough and not a glimmer of light could be seen anywhere. The only light that was available was through a group of glow-worms that were hovering around the bushes. Vandiya Devan rode steadily through the forest path without any idea as to where he was headed and whether he would be able to save Princess Vanathi at all. Despite these misgivings, he forged ahead. He knew that Princess Kundavai love...

Chapter 33: Vanathi Seeks Help

“Ayya! Why are you so angry with me? What harm have I ever done to you?” asked Vanathi and her soft feeble voice melted Vandiya Devan’s heart. He began to wonder why he was angry with this Princess in the first place. Then he remembered Poonguzhali and wondered whether there was any justification to hate Vanathi just because she too loved the Prince.
“Devi! Forgive me! It was not my intention to hurt your feelings. I only meant that I would be happy to wait for you outside the hut, while you c...

Chapter 32: Brahma’s Head

When Vandiya Devan entered Kudanthai Jodhidhar’s house for the second time, he experienced the pleasure of reliving his first glimpse at Kundavai. He remembered how her complexion pink and flushed and her eyes wide in surprise when she saw him barging him inside the house. He remembered her soft voice and cultured tone laughing…
Jodhidhar who was making preparations for the evening pooja greeted him happily.
“Welcome! Welcome! Vallavareyan Vandiya Devan you are most welcome!”
“Jodhidharey! Thou...

Chapter 31: Verdant Green Lands

Next day Vandiya Devan found himself on his way to Kudanthai through the banks of Arisalaru River bearing the message that Prime Minister Aniruthar had given for Aditya Karikalan. It was a beginning of the monsoon season (the month of Aipasi in Tamil Calendar) and the everywhere in the Kingdom he could see verdant green lands and cool breeze serenading the trees. He could see various hues of green and each one of them was as enchanting as the other. Doting these green lands and farms were man...

Chapter 30: Two Prisons

Kundavai went to the city’s prison directly after her conversation with Vanathi. She asked the guards to wait outside and entered the building where Vandiya Devan was kept in an isolated cell. When she entered the outer chamber she found him singing a love song with his back on the cell bars.
Kundavai waited until he finished the song and then coughed discreetly to gain his attention. Vandiya Devan turned around immediately and welcomed her, “Welcome! Princess! Do sit down!”
“Where do I sit?”...

Chapter 29: Vanathi’s Transformation

Vanathi and KundavaiJust when Kundavai was about to leave the palace to release Vandiya Devan from the prison, Vanathi appeared before her and bowed respectfully.
“My dearest! I left you and came away… I still have a few affairs to sort out. I will be back very soon until then why don’t you sit in the garden but don’t go near the lake.”
“Akka! I have decided not to be a trouble for you anymore. I wish to return to Kodumbalur.”
“What is this? Has everyone suddenly decided to abandon me? Are you...

Chapter 28: A Spy for a Spy

The Princess remained quiet for a while unable to decide what to answer. The Prime Minister however relentlessly pursued her with his question. “Why are you silent Princess? Do you still trust that man?”
“Ayya! What can I say? If you speak for a little while longer, I might probably suspect myself…”
“The times are such that we can’t believe anyone around us. It is very difficult to bestow trust and faith on anybody these days… We have so many enemies around us today and many mysterious things...

Chapter 27: Kundavai’s Surprise

Anirudhar Meets KundavaiWhen Prime Minister Anirudhar entered Kundavai’s visiting room in her palace, the Princess stood up respectfully and bowed in front of him seeking his blessings.
“May you find a husband who is both valorous and good-hearted!”
“Ayya! Will you bless me thus at a time like this?”
“I just felt like blessing you like this. What sort of blessing do you seek then Princess?”
“Everyone is worried about the Emperor’s state of health and my brother Arul Mozhi is missing…”
“However I...