Nandini

Chapter 46- The Beginning of the Conspiracy

Shouldn't she tell Ammu that her marriage is almost fixed? She will be shattered if it gets cancelled somehow. But none of her plans too won't work if the marriage doesn't go through. After the wedding, will Ammu and Maduranthakan spend time reciting hymns and doing poojas? No, she can't let that happen. Maduranthakan will have a lot to do.

He has always been so nice to her. Though she is naive and can get obstinate at times, Ammu is also a nice girl. She would have loved to have a friend like her in another lifetime. Isn't it wrong to use them for her revenge? It isn't like she is going to kill them. Would Ammu have treated her like an equal if she wasn't Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar's wife?

The hibiscus shrubs in the gazebo shaked. Something moved in the darkness. Is that Veera Pandyan's head or body? He is getting intolerable as days pass. She hoped that it isn't the head because the thing is damn talkative. No, it is Ravidasan.

"How did you reach here?"

"I have my methods. We should think about making it easier".

"Come inside"

"I see that Pazhavoor Rani is leading quite a royal life here"

She avoided his barb. Shouldn't she share her plans with him? Before that, she had some questions on her own.

"Didn't you say that our Emperor had a lover who looked like me? I am very curious that there is someone who looks like me. Do you know anything about that woman?"

"I have only heard about her. She cheated him when his luck was down. Traitor!"

"Why did you dump my jewellery at the Vada Bhadrakali shrine? What were you doing in the palace street? Isn't it dangerous?"

"You will realise the reason later. Our whole existence is dangerous. Tell me this, why didn't you kill him? I thought you sent your servants away and summoned him alone to finish him. I was waiting to help you if needed".

"How could I know that you were hiding outside? I summoned him to discuss the matter of the marriage between his uncle and the Pazhavoor girl. Do you know? That cheater has an eye on the girl".

"Really?"

"Yes, now I know why didn't he grant my prayer. He is willing to endorse the marriage if his lover wants it but he won't attend it. I was such a fool! It was never me, it was always her!"

"Traitor, have you come here to create alliances for tigers?"

"Yes, that's because it will benefit us in the long run. What will happen if Maduranthakan decides that he wants to become the King?"

"Very nice idea. I will bring Pandya crown and bestow that too on Maduranthakan".

"Thalapathi, you know their history better than me. What happened when crown prince Rajadithan lost his life in Thakkolam? Tigers lost the war but did they perish?"

"Your husband and his brother are the reasons for that, not those lazy royals. Is there any way you can influence Pazhuvettaraiyars to join us? How is your seduction going on?"

"Fine. Hear this, after Rajadithan's murder, the nobles stood together. Later our Veera Pandyan took Kandarathithan's head and injured Arinjayan grievously but the family is still in power. We can learn a lot from this".

"What?"

"Individual revenge in haste is futile. There was a good opportunity when Maduranthakan was born after declaring Sundara Cholan as crown prince. But you all watched from the sidelines and 20 years later, we have no Emperor or Empire".

Ravidasan was lost in thoughts. He sat up on the couch and smiled. Now he looked like the man she met in Madurai- regal, calm and majestic.

"Continue"

"Currently Maduranthakan has no interest or skill. He is a very useful puppet. So if he lays claim to the throne, there will be civil war between the supporters of the two branches of the royal family".

"If they don't reach a compromise before that. Ok, What about your oath?"

She took Ravidasan's hands.

"Bravest of the Brave, how many dangerous foes have you killed with these iron hands ?Pazhuvettaraiyars shiver in fear when they get information about Thennavan Aapathudaivikal".

"So?"

"That coward getting killed by these hands will be an honour. No, these weak womanly hands will take his head. People will laugh at him. Leave him to me".

Ravidasan smiled a crooked smile and freed his hands from her grasp.

"Let us discuss that later. An important matter about the present. You will be asked to select maids from a group of girls. You have to choose the girls named Vasuki and Thirumathi".

"Did they too take the oath?"

"No, someone will definitely enquire into their backgrounds. They just know me as a sorcerer. They will help us".

Is that why he offered her jewellery in the shrine? If Pazhuvettaraiyars trust him as a mere sorcerer, they won't search for him like a thief. What if Pazhuvettaraiyar himself welcomes him?

"I will organise some prayers and bring you directly through the front door. Then my husband, that is, fake husband, won't feel suspicious if he hears about your visits".

"It can be considered . . . when will you get an opportunity to sneak out on your own? I am planning to conduct a meeting. I will reveal something important to you".

What is the important thing which can't be revealed now? She too wanted to meet them and display her newly found status. She has to establish a system of randomly going here and there alone so that Chinnavar won't suspect her. Then she can say that she is going to visit a temple.

"I will inform you after I hire the maids".

"Did you get any weapons?"

Nandini gave him three daggers she had managed to collect. He returned her old dagger.

"The next task for you- earn the trust of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar with regard to the security arrangements of the palace. The treasury of the kingdom is here. You know reading and writing, right?"

Nandini nodded.

"We have to edit some documents carefully before we take anything. But we will need a signet ring of the Pazhuvettaraiyar. Can you arrange one for me?"

Nandini smelt blood. If he gets too much access and freedom, he will discard her like an old rag.

"If you tell me what I should do, I can do it here itself".

"Hmmm . . . I need to get going. There is a rope ladder on that wall. I will be going through it. Come and fold it".

Ravidasan sneaked away like a cat.