Adityan’s Arrest
Two days later, early in the morning, it was the Senapati himself who waited outside the princess’s chamber along with two of his men. They hid themselves away from the guard Vishnurayan’s sight. After all, Pandiyan did not trust anyone who was close to the princess.
While Vishnurayan had always shown his loyalty to the kingdom and the royal family, the commander-in-chief of the army did not want to test it when it came to a choice between Princess Chamundeswari and the rest of them.
He was surprised to find that Queen Naganandini was actually so intelligent. She had made her manservant check the whereabouts of Adityan, the warrior from Chozha Nadu; also supposedly the princess’s relative on her mother’s side. Somehow, Pandiyan doubted that.
It looked like the man had been sleeping in the princess’s quarters the past two nights. Muthu had followed all of Adityan’s movements from the time the queen had ordered him to do so. Why she had given him such an order was anybody’s guess. What did it matter? As long as the warrior was caught red-handed leaving the princess’s chambers early in the morning.
The princess was a young, unmarried woman. It was the duty of the kingdom to guard her chastity. Adityan had overstepped his boundaries by spending not one, but at least two nights with the princess.
He deserved to be arrested and thrown in the dungeons. Maybe even executed mercilessly.
While the Senapati’s temper rose, he could not help appreciating the fact that now he had a powerful leverage to make the princess toe the line.
Adityan stretched his arms over his head as he came awake before dawn. A soft smile lit his face when he gazed down at his sleeping wife. Chamundeswari had been insatiable last night, demanding that he cater to her every whim in bed. Adityan had been only too eager to fulfil her every fantasy, thrilled that he had found such an exciting life partner for himself.
Just as he had over the past two mornings, he quickly pulled on his clothes before walking out of the princess’s bedchamber, through the living area and into the corridor. His smile turned wider when he noticed Vishnurayan sleeping as he leaned against the pillar next to the doorway. He realised that the loyal servant was at last way more relaxed in his guard duty towards the princess, only because Adityan had married her and promised to protect her with his life.
Just as he took a third step forward, warriors jumped into the corridor from both sides, from where they had been hiding behind the pillars. Before he could absorb that he was being surrounded by sentries, the Senapati himself stepped out from behind yet another pillar, blocking Adityan’s passage with his sword drawn.
“So! This is where you have been spending your nights. How did you even imagine that you had a right to visit the princess in her private chamber, especially after sundown?” Pandiyan’s voice was silky with menace.
Vishnurayan woke up with a jerk when he heard the commander-in-chief’s voice boomerang in the corridor so early in the morning. Oh my God! What was happening? What was Pandiyan and so many of his soldiers doing here outside the princess’s bedchamber, that too at such an early hour?
He took a few steps forward, but came to a stop when Adityan gestured over his shoulder.
Adityan met Pandiyan’s gaze without blinking, her shoulders straight and his feet planted firmly apart. His fists on his hips, he asked, “It is for the princess to decide who goes into her room. Maybe you should find out from her, when she is awake that is, if I have the right or not. Now, if you will step aside, I have work to do.”
“Aditya!” Pandiyan’s voice was threatening as he stepped forward to stand toe to toe with the man. “I place you under arrest for befouling the royal family of Kongunadu. We can wait to find out what the princess has to say before we execute you, maybe. Until then, you will be housed in our dungeons along with other traitors to our kingdom.”
With no tremor in his body nor even batting an eyelash, the real Prince Vijayendra Aditya Chozhan went along with Pandiyan, uncaring that his wrists were chained together, making it impossible for him to fight back. Anyway, Adityan was carrying neither his sword nor his dagger because he had been only visiting his wife. But the smile on his face never wavered as the courageous prince walked behind the preening Senapati who was convinced that he had the princess completely under his power. After all, would not Chamundeswari agree to whatever he told her to do—namely marry Paranthaman in the guise of the Chozha prince—in exchange for her lover’s life?
Pandiyan really did not care if the princess was a virgin or not as long as she agreed to marry his son.
Vishnurayan lifted a hand to wipe the angry tears that threatened to run down his face. No! Now was not the time to break down. Agreed, that his dear princess was being outwitted for the hundredth time in the past thirteen years. But this time, he was not going to let them win—Queen Naganandini, Chief Minister Marthanda Bhupathi or Pandiyan.
A wicked smile lit the loyal servant’s face when he thought of how the princess had stuck her dagger into that fool’s thigh; the one who was pretending to be Prince Vijayendra Chozhan. These idiots had no idea about the might of the Chozha empire or its ruler. Nor were they aware who Adityan really was. If Emperor Rajendra Chozhan got to know that his half-brother had been arrested, he was capable of annihilating the whole of Kongunadu to free the man.
He turned around to give a sigh of relief when he saw Anagha walking towards him. Meeting her halfway, he said, “Wake the princess quickly. I need to talk to her.”
“What happened?” asked Anagha, noticing how upset he was.
“You can listen to me when I speak to the princess.”
Anagha quickly went into the chamber and further to the bedroom. Seeing the sleeping princess, she did not have the heart to awaken her. But then, did she have a choice?
“Your Highness!” She placed a hand on Chamundeswari’s shoulder and shook it gently. When there was no response, she shook her some more, “My Lady, please wake up.”
The princess opened her eyes slowly and was startled to see a worried-looking Anagha standing next to her. “Anagha!” She sat up on her bed with a jerk before a deep blush reddened her cheeks when she realised that there was not a stitch of clothing covering her. Turning around, she pulled the bedcover over her body before asking, “What Anagha? Is something the matter? Is it already morning?”
“My Lady!” Anagha twisted her hands, a frown on her face. “Something appears to be amiss, though I do not understand what. Vishnu is waiting to speak with you.”
“Why did you not tell me that first?” said Chamundeswari, getting up from the bed. “Hand me the robe,” she said, pointing to a chair in the corner of the room.
Anagha quickly went and got the robe before helping the princess into it and tying the sash.
Chamundeswari stepped into the living area even as she called out, “Vishnu!”
“Princess!” Vishnurayan rushed inside to speak in a hurry. “There is trouble brewing, Princess. The Senapati has arrested Adityan. All because he had spent the past two nights in your chamber. I think they had been keeping a watch on him. I think it is best that I go to Thanjavur and seek Emperor Rajendra Chozhan’s help. I am just worried how you will remain safe until we return. I…”
Chamundeswari lifted a hand to stop him midway, a determined thrust to her chin. “You must remain here to ensure that no one harms Adityan. Do you understand, Vishnu? They still do not suspect you. While I do not think they will trust me; at least in Adityan’s matter. You go and find out where they have incarcerated him. And if it will be possible for me to meet him. I will leave after that, go to Thanjavur and meet the Emperor myself.”
“But, My Lady! You will take time to travel with your entourage and all…”
She shook her head. “I will travel on Rahu; alone.”
Anagha’s mouth fell open as she stared at the princess, not knowing what to say.
As for Vishnurayan, emotional tears and immense satisfaction fought for pride of place in his expression. His princess had come of age!
“It is time for me to find a practical use for all the training you gave me over the years, Vishnu. I will go to Thanjavur the moment I can. You go and find out if it is possible for me to meet my husband, even if only for a few minutes. Go now!” Turning to her maid, the princess said, “I need a bath. Pack my saddle bag with some food and a few changes of clothing. Only my cotton saris, mind you. Keep out a pair of simple earrings. I will wear only the chain and bracelets that Adityan gave me for the wedding. And bring me a palm leaf so that I can write a note to my husband; just in case they do not let me meet him.” The princess wanted to be prepared for all contingencies.
Anagha quickly rushed about her duties, beginning with placing the requisite materials for the princess’s use on the writing table. While Chamundeswari wrote to her husband, the maid got someone to draw the princess’s bath before packing her saddlebag. She personally went to the kitchen to pack enough food in the dried leaves of the Mandharai tree to last the princess for at least three days by the time she reached Thanjavur.
Vishnurayan returned to the princess’s chambers just when Chamundeswari thrust her feet into her leather footwear.
“My Lady! Adityan is in the dungeons on the northern side of Azhagapuri. Right now, they do not plan to do anything with him. But it is not possible for you to meet him, My Lady! Even I could not get in.”
“Then how can you be sure that they do not plan to do anything to him?” asked the princess, her voice sharp with anxiety.
“Muthu is the guard in charge of prison duty there. He is…”
Anagha screamed, dropping the sari that she had been folding. “Muthu?”
Vishnurayan frowned at his wife. “What is wrong with you, Anagha? Can you not see that I am discussing something important with the princess?”
“But Muthu is the one who followed My Lord and informed the queen,” said Anagha, turning to the princess. “I heard him showing off about his success to the head chef.”
Vishnurayan turned pale on hearing what his wife had to say. Turning to the princess, he said, “Let me go once again and try to meet Adityan.”
The princess realised that she did not have time to waste. Removing the silver scroll that she had tucked into her waist band next to her dagger, she gave it to Vishnurayan, saying, “This is for Adityan’s eyes and nobody else’s. Keep it safe. I am leaving immediately. If anyone asks, I have gone for a ride to the market place, do you understand? Anagha, let me have saddlebag.”
“But, My Lady! Let me carry it for you as far as the stable.”
“Alright, but do not come with me. Meet me outside the stables.”
Both the servants nodded, a look of anxiety in their eyes as they watched their precious princess walking out of the chamber.
Getting the stablemaster to saddle Rahu, the princess could not help but turn to glance at Kethu’s box. She hoped and prayed that the horse would soon be together with his master.
Taking the saddlebag from Anagha, she tied it to the back of her horse before going on her way.
Anagha, who was terribly worried about her mistress, did something for the first time without either the princess or her husband’s knowledge. She went further to the large cage where Manu was housed. Counting the time until half a naazhigai had passed, she fed and watered him quickly. Once he was done, she untied Manu’s leash saying, “Go with our princess. She needs your protection.”
Manu turned to give her a look which seemed to say that he got her meaning before he went on his way, unerringly racing towards the western gate of the fort.
