Mangalam
As he led a troop of warriors to the battlefield to check for survivors, the reality of his chosen career finally hit Ravidasan. The nauseating fetor of festering flesh and the reek of old blood was in the air. The carrion of oxen, horses, mules, and a few war elephants were piled up high. Jackals, vultures, crows and dogs were gorging on the rotten meat.
Does it matter for scavengers? Don't they prefer the rotten meat? He has never thought about it. Has he ever expected to enter a battlefield full of scavengers and fallen men and beasts? Why doesn't he feel bad? Even a prince like Jatilan felt disgusted by the horrors of the battlefield. Was this always his calling?
Cholas must be furious about the death of Uttama Seeli. "Solan Thalai Konda Ko-Veera Pandya devar" has a nice ring to it. The valiant younger prince might not have been important in the larger scheme of things but still it is a personal loss for Paranthakan. He is too cunning and pragmatic to pursue them further when Kannara Devan's threat looms in the north. Mazhavarayar has written that the younger Pazhuvettaraiyan who was supposed to go to Lanka had gone to Tanjai. No wonder Sundara Cholan's troops had to run away from Anuradhapuram!
An errand boy from the troops of Poliyur Pallavaraiyar Adithar approached them and conveyed that his master requests their presence at the eastern side of the battlefield. They found three more groaning disfigured men who were on the verge of death and twenty-eight dead bodies which were sent for the last rites. Pallavaraiyar looked like he is about to collapse. Ugran gave him a towel and some water.
"Pallavaraiyare, why don't you go back and come back tomorrow? You look so exhausted."
"Haven't your Thalapathi informed you?"
"What?"
"Our Emperor is going to be formally crowned at the latest auspicious hour. His revered grandfather and the heir from Anuradhapuram are already here. We are to finish our work soon and report back".
"Are we going to Madurai this soon? Soldiers might die of exhaustion if we march now".
"We live to die for Veera Pandyar, don't we? You will recieve your orders soon. When you are called back, inform me before you leave. For now, check that perimeter. We will go over to the other side".
***********
Manabharanan Tirumaligai
Luckily, Adithar was just pulling his leg. Veera Pandyan's grandfather Ravi Varmar strictly forbade against advancing to the capital right now and declaring independence. Now Paranthakan's advisors will suggest to avoid the 'cowardly' Pandyan. Ravidasan was impressed by periyavar's intuition but he couldn't help suspecting if the old king had come to spy for his other relatives, the Cholas. They had no hopes of getting any aid from Veera Pandyan's maternal family.
Jatilan was nettled about two things - the absence of Uma Maheshwari and their crown jewels. As her father and brothers are at Thakkolam, it'd be unwise if Uma attends the coronation. Though Senan offered to send them with Udayan, Veera Pandyan hasn't shown any interest in retrieving the crown jewels from Lanka. Even when he understood that it isn't safe yet, Ravidasan too felt slight disappointment. So he and Ugran decided to entertain themselves by teasing Jatilan. It is indeed good that Uma will be absent, lest she knows about Anuradhapuram kumari's proposal.
"No,no, no. I will kill you if you tell her. Then I will haunt you in the afterlife too- Uma will kill me".
"Your Highness should be flattered. Her attendants said that this manmathan is a worthy replacement for Sundaran. What more does a young man want?"
"True, I too heard them", Ravidasan added fuel to fire.
Jatilan pulled them closer and whispered, "I have to tell you something. But don't tell this to anyone until this is discussed in the council". He led them to the open space outside the palace. They saw girls and boys decorating the pillars in the courtyard with floral garlands.
"Sundara Cholan is missing".
They have recieved intelligence reports about the heavy casualties faced by Cholas in Lanka.
"Very good. Did he too die in Lanka?"
"No, they just fled. Weren't they always mocking us for fleeing? Serves them right. That isn't the point. Udayakumaran is quite sure that Sundaran left Lanka. But he didn't reach the mainland with other soldiers".
Ugran twirled his moustache, "That's so unexpected. It could be a baseless rumour and he might be lying on his bed crying and whining as we are talking."
Ravidasan too was wondering what could have happened. How can Sundara Cholan just disappear like that? What if he is planning something more sinister?
"I think he sent the army back to distract everyone. He is still there, maybe with some trusted soldiers. Chola loyalists could be hosting them. Ilavarase , ask them to strengthen Senan's security".
"They are sure that Sundaran left the port. I suspect it is the opposite, he might have been disgusted by the bloodshed and . . . joined Buddha sangham? Isn't that a possibility?"
Ravidasan was dying to know more details. Though Udayan has always treated him respectfully, he is no longer a junior student. This is a matter between the Pandyas, Cholas and Lambakarnas and he is a mere soldier who isn't even supposed to know about this right now. Will Veera Pandyan discuss such matters with them after he is formally declared as the Emperor? Only time will tell.
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The Companion of Honour
Historical Fiction"May the swords raised against them stop on you. May the fire approaching them consume you. May the poison meant for them kill you. May the arrows aimed at them pierce you. May you be the fortress, weapon and shield of our Emperor. Go forth, kill an...
