Sumeetha Manikandan's Blog, page 6

Chapter 6: Poonguzhali’s Panic

Hidden behind the bushes, Poonguzhali could hear most of the conversation between Nandini and Mandiravadi. Nandini told Mandiravadi that she didn’t believe his assertion that the Prince was lost to the sea.
“Rani! You have never really believed me completely and nor do you have any faith in my powers! What makes you doubt my words?”
“Have you not heard about the Prince’s wonderful horoscope? The Kuzhagar temple priest too mentioned it a little while ago,”
“That’s utter rubbish! My magic holds mo...

Chapter 5: Rakkammal

After Pazhuvetarayar and Parthibendran left to oversee the search for the lost Prince, Nandini stood by the beach watching the sea in silent contemplation.
“Rani Amma!” called out a voice and she turned back to find the daughter-in-law of Thyaga Vida Karayar standing there.
“Who are you?” asked Nandini
“I am Rakkammal,”
“What do you want?”
Instead of replying to Nandini, Rakkammal stared at her face with a strange expression.
“What are you looking at? What’s there in my face?”
“Forgive me amma! I wa...

Chapter 4: In the woods

In the middle of the sea, the boat was drifting along the placid sea. It seemed rather inconceivable that this gentle sea could throw up huge waves big enough to swallow a war ship!
In the boat, the Prince, Vandiya Devan was arguing vociferously while Poonguzhali with an oar in hand, was watching them silently. The subject of the argument was what they ought to do once they reach Kodi Karai? Vandiya Devan wanted the Prince to come with him to Pazhaiarai. He came forth with many reasons for thi...

Chapter 3: The Owl’s Call

Kodi Karai Lighthouse
Nandini looked at the sea and saw the boat nearing Parthibendran’s ship. She sighed deeply and it flared Parthibendran’s protective instincts.
“Devi! Tell me what you want me to do? Whatever makes you happy will make me very happy!”
Many strange thoughts were coursing through Parthibendran’s mind at that instant. He wanted to rescue this beautiful woman from that old wild cat!
Why can’t I take her away from that old brute? If only she could tell me her heart’s desire, I wo...

Chapter 2: Seductive Net

Men who get married to younger women often dwell in a world where suspicion reigns supreme. They often regard strangers with distaste. Pazhuvetarayar felt the same when he saw Parthibendran outside his tent and added to that he didn’t like the way Nandini had come forward to talk to the Pallava Lord but he couldn’t chide her too!
He therefore replied to Nandini with a frosty smile, “Devi! There are many in this world that we do not know and we have nothing to lose, if we don’t.”
Parthibendran w...

Volume 3 - The Sword - Chapter 1 - At KodiKarai

Volume 3 - The Sword
The storm that started in Elangai crossed the sea and made its way through the coastal cities of Chola Kingdom leaving behind destruction and death in its wake. From Kodikarai to Kaveri Pattinam, the cyclone rendered many homeless, uprooted trees and destroyed many a property. The backwaters of Kodi Karai were flooded and the quick sands became more deadly and dangerous, capable of swallowing large elephants.
Two day after the storm, Periya Pazhuvetarayar and his entourage...

Ponni's Beloved - The Story So far...

Volume 3 - The SwordIn the 10th century AD, South India was ruled by the mighty Cholas who expanded their Kingdom from Elangai (Sri Lanka) to Krishna River. Our story begins during the reign of King Sundara Chola (Paranthkan II) who was sick and abed with paralysis. His son and the Crown Prince Aditya Karikalan was gathering forces in Kanchipuram to expand their Kingdom and his second son Prince Arul Mozhi Varman had conquered Elangai and was setting up Chola suzerainty.
Aditya Karikalan is w...

Chapter 53: A Saviour’s Song

Commander Kodumbalur Vellar stood at the banks Thondaimaan watching the Prince even as he moved towards Parthibendran’s ship. He was pleased by the turn of events and spoke to himself thus, “This just proves that the Gods are favouring us. The auspicious marks on the Prince’s hand and his horoscope prove that he is destined for greatness. Parthibendran will take the Prince back to Kanchi safely and it is time that I took my troops to Thanjai and oust those who have usurped the power,” When he...

Chapter 52: The Broken Ship

When Vandiya Devan saw the sails on fire, he knew assuredly that the ship wouldn’t escape the rage of the sea. His fate too was tied to this ship and therefore he too would give up his life along with it. Despite the realization that he would die soon, the thought didn’t drown him with despair or sorrow. On the contrary, his enthusiasm grew by leaps and bounds. He unbound himself from the ropes that he had tied around himself and laughed out aloud. He was happy that he didn’t have to die burn...

Chapter 51: The Storm

The sea and the air was still all around them. The ship stood immobile defeated by the elements of nature and incapable of moving without the winds. Vandiya Devan stood for a while looking at the placid sea silently. In his heart arose great waves of emotion and a germ of an idea!
He lifted both his hands up in the air and shouted, “Ohm! Hreem Hasht!”and then unsheathed his sword with deliberate ferocity and swirled it around twice.  Sea God Demands Blood Sacrifice“Yes. The Sea God wants a...