The Tiger Throne, page 52
Crocodile!
Vanathi felt the shock of the thatch crashing into a tree’s roots and shattering. But luckily, half her body caught in a curving branch of the tree and saved her. She clung to the branch as the flood waters dragged at her feet and pulled her sari. In a rush of courage, Vanathi gritted her teeth and climbed up to sit on a fork between two strong branches. As she squeezed the water from her sari, she heard a splash and looked down: the crocodile, covered by broken pieces of thatch, threshed the water with its tail and came to the surface. It looked up with its jaws open, as if inviting her to fall into its mouth.
In high spirits after her narrow escape, Vanathi spoke to the crocodile: “It’s no use baring your teeth at me. Go find someone else to eat!” The crocodile stared unblinkingly up at her. Vanathi looked around. She was still in a dangerous position. The tree’s branches were low and tilted steeply towards the water on one side; on the landward side, the branches were high; if she climbed down the trunk, she would directly face the crocodile. I must jump to the ground from the higher branches; that’s the only way out. She tried to stand but her legs shook so badly, she was forced to sit down again. Let’s see who’s more patient: the crocodile or I.
She heard an elephant trumpet and saw the elephant which had gone past her earlier coming back towards her. At the same time, she saw the boat with Poonkuzlali and the astrologer’s disciple approaching her along the shore. Finally, it has to be Poonkuzlali who saves me.
The boat came to the tree and Poonkuzlali saw Vanathi clinging to the branch. The boat girl laughed and said, “Lady, jump in quickly. Do you know who’s on that elephant? It’s the prince.”
Vanathi looked at the man on the elephant as he came closer. I don’t want him to see me like this. As Poonkuzlali said, I had better jump into the boat at once. Just then, the flood pushed the boat away from the tree. Not wanting to go with the boat, Poonkuzlali jumped into the water. She has not seen the crocodile! The horrified Vanathi shrieked a jumbled warning.
Poonkuzlali heard the word “Crocodile!” and turned to see the reptile close behind her with its open jaws. The crocodile threshed the water with its tail. Even Poonkuzlali’s brave heart quailed at seeing the huge crocodile ten feet away from her. She had split seconds to make up her mind: she decided to swim for the boat. The astrologer’s disciple, unaware of the danger, had rowed the boat a little distance away. As Poonkuzlali swam towards it, the whirling flood waters of the Ponni pulled her down, the crocodile chased her and her sari caught on a branch of the tree.
Vanathi saw all this from her perch on the tree. The Chola kingdom and I are indebted to her for saving the prince’s life. He’ll be heartbroken if the crocodile kills her before he reaches here. What will he think of me? And she’s in this situation only because she came to rescue me …
Vanathi climbed quickly to a lower branch, lay on it, reached a hand into the water and caught Poonkuzlali by her hair. Poonkuzlali looked up and stretched out a hand. Vanathi took it and pulled her up. With her other hand, Poonkuzlali caught a branch and pushed herself out of the flood. She climbed onto the branch on which Vanathi lay. Not strong enough to bear both their weights, the branch bent. Poonkuzlali tried to climb to a higher branch and stumbled: the next second, she hung between the tree and the water, held only by Vanathi’s grip. The crocodile came out from under the tree roots and opened its mouth right under Poonkuzlali’s swinging figure. Vanathi’s delicate arm felt like it was being pulled out of its socket; her heart raced with fear that Poonkuzlali would fall into the crocodile’s jaws. I can never look the prince in the face if she slips. If she falls, I’ll jump in after her.
The elephant walked along the shore, stopped under the tree and trumpeted. The crocodile retreated to its place under the tree roots. It was impossible for Vanathi to bear Poonkuzlali’s weight any longer. Poonkuzlali means flower, but her body is made of steel. I can’t take it … Vanathi heard Poonkuzlali scream and closed her eyes in terror; she could not bear to see the girl fall into the crocodile’s mouth. She felt somebody pulling Poonkuzlali and tightened her own grip.
Then she heard Arulmozli’s sweet voice: “Vanathi, let her go.”
Vanathi let Poonkuzlali go and felt her shoulder relax; she opened her eyes. The elephant was gently placing Poonkuzlali on the riverbank. Poonkuzlali’s eyes were closed. She must have screamed when the elephant lifted her in its trunk. I remember how I fainted when an elephant lifted me. Princess Kundavai would be proud if she saw me now. The elephant’s trunk came towards her. Vanathi closed her eyes and felt herself being lifted and placed on the ground. When she opened her eyes, she was standing beside Poonkuzlali on the shore. Vanathi’s heart brimmed with love for the boat girl and she hugged Poonkuzlali tightly.
Poonkuzlali was in tears. “Lady, I came to rescue you from the floods, but you saved my life. I’ll never forget what you have done.”
“Poonkuzlali, it’s the mahout who saved us both: it’s him you should thank.” Vanathi gave the mahout a mischievous smile. “Mahout, will you take us for a ride on your elephant?”
My Father and Brother are in Danger!
The prince laughed and climbed down from his elephant. “Managing an elephant is as difficult as managing a royal throne: climbing on to it is difficult, sitting on it is difficult and getting off it is even more difficult.”
“But some people do it for the silliest reasons—like saving fledglings on trees.”
“You remember that? You never mentioned it and I assumed you had forgotten. But I have to go to Thanjavur urgently. What happened? How did this girl get caught in such danger?”
“I’m glad you remember I’m here,” Poonkuzlali said. “If you let me talk to you in confidence for a minute, I’ll be on my way.”
Arulmozli laughed. “Ocean Princess, you were in such a hurry, you refused to stop your boat when I called out to you. I never expected to see you later swinging on a branch over a crocodile’s open mouth! And I’ll never forget how Vanathi struggled to hold you. But, how and why did the two of you come here? One of you tell me quickly!”
“Princess Kundavai and I were on our way to stop you from going to Thanjavur. She fears it will precipitate a civil war. She wanted to meet you first …”
“Where’s she now?”
“In Kudanthai. We stopped at the astrologer’s house which got carried away in the flood. The princess and the others climbed to safety on the temple’s roof, but because of my foolishness, I was carried away on the house’s thatched roof …”
“And I suppose Poonkuzlali came in the boat to rescue you. Finally, my elephant had to save you both. He lifted you as tenderly as he would a garland of flowers. And just this morning, the same elephant threw the mahout …”
“I wanted to ask whether you were harmed by the mahout’s goad!” Vanathi exclaimed.
“I managed to escape. But how did you know? Did the astrologer tell you?”
“Lord Ambalavan told us your life was in danger from a poisoned goad.”
“Has he now become an astrologer—or, as many suspect, is he the reason behind this?”
“He overheard a Pandian conspiracy to kill your father, your brother and you on the same day.”
“My god! Since his warning was true in my case, my father and brother are in danger.” He turned to Poonkuzlali. “Ocean Princess, what message do you bring?”
“My aunt wants me to take you to Thanjavur at once.”
“Is it true someone kidnapped her and took her to Thanjavur?”
“The chief minister did it only because he wanted her to meet the emperor.” Poonkuzlali hesitated. “My aunt believes she’s going to die soon: she wants to see you before that …”
“My god! Vanathi, ask Kundavai to forgive me, I must go!”
Look! An Army!
Thanjavur was in a tumult. After the storm came the news that Arulmozli was alive and was marching to Thanjavur at the head of a huge crowd which was determined to crown him emperor. The people of Thanjavur lined the roads, prepared to give Arulmozli a grand welcome.
Inside the fort, there was an air of tense expectation. The fort gates had opened as usual that morning. But once the king’s bodyguards marched in, the gates closed with a clang, heavy iron bolts slid into place, padlocks clicked and the drawbridge was raised.
Rumors spread like wildfire among the people. The Pazluvur brothers want to stop Prince Arulmozli from entering the fort! If they dare to stop the prince, we’ll break down the walls of the fort! Sundara Chola is dead! Will there be civil war?
Suddenly a shout was heard: ‘Look! An army!!’ People rushed to climb trees and terraces and saw armed soldiers marching along all the three roads leading to the capital. It was the army of the southern command led by the Kodumbalur chieftain, Velir. It was known that Velir wanted his niece, Vanathi, to marry Arulmozli and make Arulmozli the next emperor.
What perfect timing! Prince Arulmozli is on his way here from the east and the general has arrived from the south with his army. Anything could happen!
The crowds cheered Velir who was here to support Arulmozli, the people’s favorite. By sunset, Velir had sealed three of the fort’s entrances. He ignored the fourth entrance as the Vadavar flowed along that wall of the fort and the river was in spate; no one could enter that way. Velir pitched his tent before the main northern entrance and summoned a meeting of the powerful Merchants Guild, the City Council and other city officials.
The Council
After a few introductory remarks, the general said, “From the time of Vijayalaya Chola, we have given our lives to found and protect the vast Chola empire. Our enemies may accuse us of assembling here without the emperor’s permission, but we are unable to meet the emperor and do not know what his wishes are. Using his illness as an excuse, the Pazluvur brothers have imprisoned him in the fort.”
Voices shouted, “Yes!” “It’s true!” “The emperor’s a prisoner!”
“Can we believe that Sundara Chola, who belongs to the brave Chola dynasty, refuses to come out of his palace because of his illness? His enemies have clouded his mind with their black magic. Otherwise, would he choose the cowardly Madurandaka to be his successor, instead of his own two sons who are brave warriors?”
“How do we know the emperor wants to make Madurandaka king?” several voices asked.
“We don’t know, but we are here to find out the truth. In spite of the rumors, I’m confident the emperor is alive. We’ll meet him and let him directly tell us what he wants.” He paused. “If by chance the emperor wants to make Madurandaka his successor, will you agree?”
There was a loud chorus of “No! No!”
“I too will not agree. Sundara Chola is not in his senses if he chooses Madurandaka as his heir. The question of the succession was settled clearly by Emperor Paranthaka on his deathbed: Sundara Chola and his heirs were to succeed Gandara Aditya. And the revered Sembiyan Madevi is against her son becoming king—she must have a good reason for this. In such circumstances, why would Sundara Chola want to make Madurandaka his successor? Prince Arulmozli and I destroyed the Lankan army, captured Anuradhapura and forced King Mahinda into hiding in the forest. It was Prince Arulmozli’s inspiring leadership which gave our men the courage to defeat the Lankan army. If the emperor is mentally fit, would he issue an arrest warrant for the prince?”
“General, how do you know the arrest warrant was issued by the emperor?”
“We are here to find out the truth of that too. A rumor was spread that the prince is dead, but I did not believe this. Many of you here agreed with me that the prince, aware of the conspiracy against him, was in hiding, waiting for the right time to show himself. We are vindicated: the prince is on his way here from Nagapattinam with a huge crowd and we are here to support him. But the conspirators have made their next move …”
“What? What?”
“Just a few minutes ago, I heard that when the prince was leaving Thiruvarur, his elephant went mad, threw its mahout and ran away. In that confusion, the prince is missing.”
“Aiyo!” “What new disaster is this?” “Even god is on the side of the conspirators!”
Velir waved his hands for silence. “Prince Arulmozli is not only a matchless warrior, he is also wise. He will not fall into the enemy’s traps. I expect to hear good news about him soon. In the meanwhile, we must decide our next course of action. What are your opinions?”
It was decided that their representatives would ask for a meeting with the emperor the next day. They would tell the emperor clearly that they were against Madurandaka succeeding him. Some insisted that the emperor should either remove the Pazluvur brothers from their commands or move out of their control and go to Pazlayarai. A few said that if they were not allowed to meet the emperor, they must enter the fort by force. Some advised patience until they heard from Arulmozli and suggested that Aditya Karikalan be asked to come to Thanjavur. As the men declared their opinions, a sentry came and whispered to Velir.
“Just a minute,” the general said and rushed out of his tent.
Make Way for Lady Vanathi
Velir jumped on his horse and galloped to the fort’s northern gate. He saw an elephant there, with a mahout and two women on its back.
The mahout blew a horn and announced, “Make way for Lady Vanathi, General Velir’s niece and Princess Kundavai’s companion! Lady Vanathi brings a message for the emperor from Princess Kundavai. She also brings an important message for Lord Kalaanthaka from his brother, Lord Ambalavan. Open the gate for Lady Vanathi and her companion, Madam Poonkuzlali!”
The mahout’s voice sounds familiar … that doesn’t matter. But if it’s really Vanathi on the elephant, I must not let her enter the fort. Better to keep the child with me until all this trouble is over. The general stopped his horse near the elephant and his guard raised a flaming torch high. The amazed general saw that it was indeed Vanathi and Poonkuzlali on the elephant.
“Vanathi, my child!” Velir said. “Couldn’t Princess Kundavai find another messenger?”
“Uncle, we heard you have laid siege to Thanjavur Fort. The princess judged I had the best chance of getting through your men and into the fort. She sent Poonkuzlali with me.”
“But what message is so important that you have brought it at night?”
“I bring the emperor urgent news of Prince Arulmozli.”
“Is the prince okay? Do you know where he is?”
“The prince is fine, uncle. I have promised I won’t tell anyone where he is now.”
The general was furious. “Girl, Princess Kundavai has made you stubborn! Get down from the elephant. The first thing I must do is send you back to Kodumbalur!”
“Uncle, don’t come too close to this elephant. Just this morning, it threw its mahout. Let me deliver my message. After that I’ll come to you and you can send me to Kodumbalur.”
The general stepped back quickly and thought it over. “Okay, child, I won’t stop you. But, what will you do if they don’t open the gate?”
“Uncle, if they refuse to open the gate, you can break it down with your army.”
The general straightened his shoulders proudly. “Spoken like a true Kodumbalur woman! Lord Kalaanthaka will not dare to stop you from giving the emperor a message from Princess Kundavai. Give Kalaanthaka a message from me: tell him that if he harms a hair on your head, I’ll annihilate his entire clan; tell him that if I don’t meet the emperor in person by tomorrow evening, I’ll attack Thanjavur Fort.”
“Very well, uncle,” Vanathi agreed.
The mahout shouted again, “Make way for Lady Vanathi! Open the gate for Lady Vanathi!”
Where Have They Gone?
Kalaanthaka was worried. He was brave, but he was not used to acting independently of his brother. Right from dawn, bad news flowed steadily into the fort. It was two days since Ambalavan had left Kadambur for Thanjavur. A man who had traveled with him said that their boat had capsized in the Kollidam and that he himself had made it to the shore with great difficulty. Kalaanthaka feared that Ambalavan had drowned in the Kollidam. Another spy came with news that Arulmozli had come out of hiding in Nagapattinam and was coming to Thanjavur with a huge crowd of supporters. Next, Sambuvaraya sent word that Malayaman was marching to Kadambur with an army and Aditya Karikalan was acting like a madman. Sambuvaraya asked Ambalavan to return to Kadambur at the earliest. The next piece of news fell on Kalaanthaka’s head like a thunderbolt: Velir was marching on Thanjavur with his army. Kalaanthaka ordered the gates to be closed. No one was to be allowed into or out of the fort. He stationed the king’s bodyguards around the emperor’s palace and used his own men to guard the fort.
Kalaanthaka decided to inform the emperor of all these developments after consulting the chief minister. Kalaanthaka did not trust Aniruddha, but he was glad to have him in the fort today as he could keep an eye on him. He could also pretend to ask for his advice, so that if things went wrong, he need not shoulder the entire blame. Kalaanthaka believed that Arulmozli and Velir were conspiring together to capture Thanjavur Fort. The emperor might find this hard to believe, but Aniruddha could convince him.
Aniruddha was not happy about Kundavai leaving in the morning. The disappearance of Mandakini and Poonkuzlali also bothered him. Where have they gone? How? He was alarmed at the news that Velir was marching on Thanjavur with a huge army.
