With the two men of the fortress commander on either side of him, Vandhiyathevan set out to explore the Thanjai fortress. He had no doubt that they were coming with him to make sure that he did not escape. No doubt orders were given to see that no one was allowed to go out of the fortress gates. But he must escape before the night before. Once the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar comes, it is impossible to escape; It would be impossible to survive!
So, while Vandhiyathevan was wandering around inside the Thanjavur fortress, his mind kept thinking of escape routes. First of all, you have to escape from these Yamakingaras; Then, escape from the fort. How to escape? That's what I don't know.
In fact, escaping from them is no big deal. You can hit both of them in a second, knock them down and run away. But where to run? The country knows how strong the Pazhuvertaraiyars have built the Thanjai fortress. People used to say that even the wind cannot enter the Thanjai fortress without their permission. The emperor himself said this morning that Yama could not come. These two must be touched; They would immediately scream at once. The next moment he would have to go to the dungeon; Or you will die. It is no use attacking them; You have to escape by cunning without attacking. After escaping, you have to find a way out of the fort. No matter how strong the fortress, there will be no secret tunnel. How to find it? Who would have known that? Would anyone who knew tell me?
While walking like this, I suddenly remembered Pazhuvur Ilayarani. Aha! If anyone came into the fortress to help him, the madarasi would. That, too, is doubtful. But we can try some trick by saying Azhvarkadiyan's name. To see it like that, we must first find the palace of the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar. Even if they find out, these thugs should not know that they are going there to see the Queen. If they knew, they would go and tell the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar. Who could have seen what would happen out of it? What if the elder Pazhuvertaraiyar himself came when he was in the palace? Wouldn't it be like going into the lion's den and giving our heads?
While Vandhiyathevan's mind was thinking, his mouth and eyes were not idle. Those who came after him asked, "What is that? His mouth kept asking "What is this?", "Who is the palace?", "Whose palace is this?", "What building is this?", "What tower is that?" His ears kept watching for the response, "This is the big Pazhuvertaraiyar palace" or "Pazhuvur Ilayarani palace." His eyes looked intently from side to side. As he did so, one thing struck his mind through his eyes. The main roads inside the fortress were wide and crowded, but the lanes were numerous. There were also many wooded gardens. It was not impossible to go through the alleys and hide in the dense gardens. It is possible to go into hiding for a day or two. But you have to hide when no one is looking; No one should be looking. If the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar had ordered his innumerable men to search for him, it would not be possible to hide. Or to break into someone's house and take refuge. Who will give him shelter in such a Thanjai fortress? Pazhuvur Rani gave only if she gave. He had to use all his imagination to make her believe in a story. First, you have to escape from them...
Aha! What slogan is this? What demonstration is this?—Oh! Who are these people who are going in such a crowd? Oh God! No doubt you are on my side. Here is a way! Here appears a supplement...
When he came to a turn in the cross street, Vandhiyathevan thought this when he saw a large crowd passing through the main street shouting musical slogans. He came to know that those who went in that gang were Velakara soldiers. As usual, they are leaving the fort after having darshan of the Maharaja! If he joins this crowd?... Aha! What better way to escape?
Those who follow him will not give up easily. If he attends the meeting, they will follow. It won't be easy to get out through the castle gates! Would the gatekeepers be so gullible? Will they not find him and stop him? One effort, however, had to be tried; There is no other way. There is no fool like himself if he does not use this way, which God Himself has seen.
As usual, Vandhiyathevan looked at those behind him and asked, "What crowd is this?" When he said "Velakara army," he began to ask for details about the army. He said that he wished to join such a brave army, and that he must have a closer look. Saying all this, he approached the Velakara army. After a while, he said, "I want to see those who are beating drums in front" and joined the Velakara army.
As the crowd went upwards, he, too, did not stay in one place, but moved up and down, beyond, and beyond. He shouted slogans with more enthusiasm than the Velakara soldiers. Some of the soldiers stared at him. "Who is this madman?" some people asked. "Looks like he's drunk!" some looked on. But no one tried to stop him or remove him.
The younger Pazhuvertaraiyar's men who accompanied him did not dare to enter the Velakara army. They were moving a little away from the side of the Velakara army, hoping that "he will come out anyway and then we can catch it again."
At that time a woman with a basket of curds who was coming from the opposite side of the street stood in a lane away from the Velakara army. One of the soldiers said, "Mother! I am thirsty; Will you give me some curd? He asked. The woman snapped, "No yogurt; If you want two slaps on the cheek, I will give it!"
Hearing this, a soldier said, "Oho! Give it to me and go!" he said as he approached the woman. The curd girl got scared and ran away. The soldier ran after her. Two more soldiers ran to catch her. All the runners ran head-to-head, screaming in different ways, and no one knew what the matter was. Everyone thought it was a joke.
Vallavaraiyan was watching all this. In that moment he made up his mind. We have already seen many times that it is the same for Vandhiyathevan to decide and execute the decision. It was unnatural for him to hesitate after making up his mind. So, "Run! Run!" and "Hold on!" shouted Vandhiyathevan and he ran after those who were chasing the curd girl. The girl ran a little way and turned into a narrow lane. When they went there, they did not find the curd girl. She disappeared! The pursuers did not care for her any more; They returned. Only Vandhiyathevan did not return. He ran further down the lane into which the woman had entered. It was only when he had turned two or three more lanes that he stopped running and walked slowly.
Isn't it sunset time when the Velakara army usually leaves the fort? The lanes that Vandhiyathevan had now entered were already dark. There were walls in some places on both sides. In some places it was a thick hedge of vegetation. Vandhiyathevan kept going without stopping anywhere. He didn't care about the direction. If you don't go through the big streets, you have to reach the outer wall of the fortress anyway. We can decide later what to do when we reach the fortress wall. There is time all night to think and find strategies.
It was soon quite dark. The path he took eventually ended in a wall. Vandhiyathevan, who was walking in the dark, bumped lightly into that wall. All I knew was the wall. I don't know what wall it is or how high it is. It was probably the fortress wall. Then it is better to sit here. In a little while the moon will rise. Then you can see. Until then, there couldn't be a better place to hide. All this time the younger Pazhuvertaraiyar's men would have gone back and told them. The commander of the fortress would have sent his men in all directions. He would have suspected that he might have left with the Velakara army. They would be looking for him inside and outside the fort. Let him search; Let him search; Let him search well. If I do not escape from this fortress after deceiving them all, I am not a member of the Varnar tribe! My name is not Vandhiyathevan!
But once the moon rises and the moon begins to shine, it will be convenient for the Pazhuvertaraiyar men. Even if they come here looking for him, they will come. If it comes, let it come; Let it come freely; If you hide in this dense grove, who can find it?
Thinking like this, Vandhiyathevan sat leaning against the wall. Being a young child and tired from wandering all day, I rolled my eyes and fell asleep. The sound of the branches swaying and rubbing against each other in the upper breeze was as intoxicating as a lullaby. He fell asleep.
When he awoke from his sleep, the moon had risen and had risen a short distance in the lower sky, and the moonlight came in through the thick branches of the trees and gave him a glimpse of the surroundings. Vandhiyathevan remembered what his position was. To his surprise, he had fallen asleep leaning against the wall. It was even more surprising to wake up. What caused him to wake up from his sleep? I thought I heard a voice. Is it a human voice? Or the voice of an animal? Or the voice of a bird awake at night? – Is it true that you heard the voice?
Vandhiyathevan looked up. In the faint moonlight, the steep wall was visible. Aa! It can't be a castle wall; The fortress wall will be even higher. Perhaps there is another small fortress wall within the outer fortress wall? Or the wall of a large palace garden?
Looking up, Vandhiyathevan got up. For a moment his heart stopped beating. The bowels in his stomach rose up to his chest and choked. There was so much panic. What's on that branch of the tree over that wall? He remembered many stories he had heard about the devil Vedalam who lived in the trees.
But will Vedalam speak? Does it speak in a human voice? Does it speak in a woman's voice? Doesn't this scripture talk like that? Let's hear what it says.
"What, sir! Did you fall asleep leaning against the wall? How many times do you call?"
Aa! This is not Vedalam. It is the woman of humanity who speaks. It was a woman sitting on a branch. What dream is this? Or is it really happening?
"It's beautiful! It seems that sleep has not been disturbed yet. Here I put the ladder. Climb carefully! Don't fall down!"
Saying this, the woman took a thin bamboo ladder from the inside of the wall and placed it along the wall outside.
Of course, Vandhiyathevan did not understand anything! But would he let go of such a rare opportunity—an opportunity to come looking for him?
Let it come; Then let what happens happen. Now let's climb this ladder; After reaching the top of the wall, you can ask for other details.
When he had climbed three-quarters of the ladder, the woman said again, "You are a good lateman! The younger Rani Ammal is waiting there. Here you are sleeping against the wall!" Vandhiyathevan was about to fall down the ladder due to the shock. Luckily, he managed to hold on to a stone sticking out of the wall.
If it is a junior queen, it must be Pazhuvur Ilaiya Rani! How did she know I was sitting here? Something of magic she must know! Why was she so interested in seeing him? Perhaps—perhaps—I have climbed the ladder for someone else? Be that as it may! You can't put your foot back! Everything will be known in a moment.
When he reached the top of the wall, the girl took him by the arm and lifted him up. Then the moonlight hit her face. By this time Vandhiyathevan had lost the power of surprise. That is why even though her face looked like the face of the curd basket girl chased by the Velakara soldiers, he did not fall from the wall. Whatever more surprises happen tonight, there is no way to be surprised.
"Uh-huh! Why are you awake and sitting on the wall? Take the ladder and lower it and jump in!" said the woman and climbed down from the branch.
Vandhiyathevan did as she said. The place where he landed turned out to be a spacious garden. At a distance, the domed towers and peaks of a large palace looked like a dream world in the dim moonlight.
Vandhiyathevan cleared his throat to ask whose palace it was. "Hush," the girl said, put a finger to her lips in warning, and walked forward. Vandhiyathevan followed her.