Kadamboor Fort

The horse had by now rested well and become quite
energetic. Within a few hours it reached the gates of
Kadamboor. Lord Sengannan Sambuvaraya was an
important Chozla nobleman in those days. His castle gates
resembled the entrance of a large city-stronghold. The
towering walls on both sides of the gate curved around like
a fortress.

A number of elephants, horses, large bullocks as well as
grooms to hold, feed and water these animals stood near
the gates. Here and there men stood with flaming torches
to provide light; oil pourers were ready to add oil to the
lighted torches. Sighting all these bustling activities,
Vandiya Devan felt a bit dismayed and hesitant.

Something special seems to be taking place here; why have
I come here now ... At the same time he felt an
overpowering urge to find out what the special occasion
was. The fortress gates were wide open although men
holding long lances stood near the gates. They looked like
the messengers of Yama, the Lord of Death.

The dauntless youth decided that the best thing to do
would be to ride boldly and go in; any hesitation on his
part would alert the guards to stop him. He translated his
thoughts into action. But what a disappointment?! As soon
as the horse neared the gates, lances crossed in front to
obstruct the way and stop him. Four men came forward
and held onto the horse's reins. One of them peered at
Vandiya Devan. Another held up the flaming torch to light
his face.

With anger darkening his face, Vallavarayan Vandiya
Devan asked "Is this customary in your town? Stopping
guests at your gates ...?"

"Who are you? Impudent fellow. Where do you come
from?"

"Are you asking me my name and town? Thiruvallam in
the Vanakapadi Kingdom is my town. Once upon a time,
soldiers in your country were proud to tattoo the names of
my ancestors on their breasts. My name is Vallavarayan
Vandiya Devan! Do you know?"

"Why did you not bring a liveried herald to announce all
this?" said the gate-keeper. Others around him laughed.

"Whoever you are, you cannot enter! All the expected
guests have already arrived. The Master's orders are to not
let in anyone after that," said their leader.

Hearing this altercation, some footmen who were standing
nearby came closer. "Hey! Is this not the same mule that
we chased into the festival crowd?" said one of them.

"Donkey, not mule," corrected another.

"Look at the
starched up fellow sitting on his donkey," added another.

Vallavarayan heard these words. He had been thinking,
why get involved? Perhaps I should go away quietly.

Maybe I should show the token bearing the seal of Prince
Aditya Karikala and then go in. When I have the signet of
the Prince, the Commander-in Chief of the Northern
Armies, none in the regions between River Pennar and
Cape Comorin can impede my way. It was in the midst of
these ponderings that he heard the mocking words of the
Pazluvoor lackeys. Immediately deciding his course of
action, he said "Let go of my horse. I am going back."
The gate-keepers let go of the reins. Vandiya Devan
employed both his legs to apply a sudden pressure to the
underbelly of his horse. At the same time he drew his
sword from its scabbard at his waist. The swirling sword
flashing like swift lightning in his hand appeared like God
Vishnu's spinning Chakra (discus). The horse galloped
forward into the fortress. The men in the way seemed to
suddenly fall down. Lances and spears were thrown apart,
clanging noisily. The horse flew amidst the gossiping men
of Pazluvoor. The totally unexpected, lightning attack
scattered the men in all four directions.

Several other actions took place immediately: The fortress
gates banged shut thunderingly. "Catch him! Hold!" shouts
arose; spears rubbed against swords making a "clang,
clang" noise. Suddenly the drums announcing danger,
boomed "dadam, dadadam". Several men -- maybe twenty,
thirty, fifty or even more -- surrounded Vandiya Devan
and his horse. He jumped down to the ground; swirling his
sword in all directions he shouted "Kandamara!
Kandamara! Your men are killing me!"

Hearing his words, the men were stunned into hesitation
and moved away a little.

At the same time a thundering voice was heard from the
upper balcony of the palace tower. "What is that noise out
there? Stop it!" Several persons were standing there,
looking down on the disturbance below.

"Master! Some fellow has broken our guard and entered
here. He is shouting the young master's name," replied the
gate-keeper. "Kandamara, go find out what the commotion
is about," said the thundering voice from the tower.

Vandiya Devan surmised the voice to be that of Lord
Sambuvaraya.

He and the men surrounding him waited for a while.

"What is all this about?" a young voice said. The men
parted to make way for a youth coming hurriedly. He
noticed Vandiya Devan who stood there twirling his
sword, like God Muruga after killing the Demon Soora.
"Vallava! Is it truly you?" he said in an emotional voice
and ran forward to heartily embrace his friend.

"Kandamara because you repeatedly insisted, I came to
your house. I received this warlike welcome here,"
Vallavarayan pointed to the men around him.

Kandamaran said to his men, "You idiots! Move aside.
Your brains are like budding shoots on a pounding block."
Kandamaran took hold of his friend's hand and led him
hastily into the castle. His feet did not stay put on earth;
and his heart danced with joy. What can captivate the heart
of a youth more than a true friendship from his youthful
days? Yes, of course there is a thing called kaadal (love).
But being in love has as much sadness and pain as joy and
pleasure. In the cheerful friendship of youth there is not
even a shadow of sadness. All is heart pleasing happiness.
"Kandamara, what is all this hustle and bustle about? What
is happening here today?" asked Vandiya Devan.

"Oh! I'll explain what's happening here afterwards.
Remember the days when you and I were at the army
garrison near the Pennar river? Remember your wishes
`We must meet Lord Pazluvoor, I must get the
acquaintance of the great Lord of Mazluvoor, I must meet
that one and this one'? That lord, this lord, every fellow -
you can meet them all here tonight," said Kandamaran.
He then took his friend up to the upper chambers where the
guests were seated. He presented him to his father Lord
Sambuvaraya and said "Father! I have mentioned several
times about my friend Vandiya Devan of the Vaanar Clan.
This is he." Vandiya Devan bowed and greeted him with
reverence. However, Lord Sambuvaraya did not seem too
happy about it.

"Is that so? Is he the fellow who created all that
disturbance at the palace gates below?" asked the father.
"He was not the cause for the disturbance. It's those idiots
we have for gate-keepers" said the son.

"Still, he need not have arrived in this sensational manner;
today of all days and that too hours after darkness," said
lord Sambuvaraya.

Kandamaran frowned. He did not wish to continue the
debate with his father. He led Vandiya Devan aside. He
presented his friend to Lord Pazluvoor, seated on a lofty
throne amidst the other guests, and said "Uncle! This is my
dear friend Vandiya Devan. He is from the noble Vaanar
clan. He and I were on guard duty at the army base north
of the Pennar river. In those days he would often express a
wish to `See and meet the bravest among warriors, the
great Lord of Pazluvoor' and would often ask `Is it really
true that he has sixty-four war-wounds on his body?' I
would tell him `One day you can meet him and count
them'."

"Is that so Thambi? Will you not believe it unless you
personally count them? Such distrust? You suspect that
none but one of the Vaanar clan can be brave?" said Lord
Pazluvoor.

Both friends were startled. They had not expected the
nobleman to thus misconstrue their words of praise.

Vandiya Devan felt irritated.

Without showing his feelings he said "Sir! The fame of the brave Pazluvoor clan has
spread from Cape Comorin to the Himalayas. Who am I to
doubt it?"

"Good reply. Intelligent fellow" muttered Lord Pazluvoor.

With a feeling of having escaped with that, the friends
went out. Lord Sambuvaraya called out to his son and
whispered, "Serve your friend some food as early as
possible and tell him to go and sleep in some secluded
spot. He seems tired after a long journey!" Kandamaran
shook his head angrily and walked on.

Later Kandamaran took his friend to the inner chambers of
his mother. Several women were gathered there. Vandiya
Devan bowed low and greeted Kandamaran's mother. He
surmised that a girl hiding shyly behind her was
Kandamaran's sister. He had imagined all sorts of things
based upon Kandamaran's descriptions of his younger
sister. In a way, he was now disappointed. His eyes
searched around among those women, with an eagerness to
find the lady who had come in the palanquin with Lord
Pazluvoor.