Aditha's Queen

Book 3 "The Subterranean River" An Inescapable Predicament

Aditha and Nandini felt an indescribable feeling clutch their hearts as they saw the flames rising up from one part of Kadambur Maligai and making the rest of the palace visible in the thick darkness of the new moon night.

Aditha steeled his heart in a few minutes and asked, "Who are you, Sir? Why did you take it upon yourself to save us? How did you know of this conspiracy? What do you mean when you say we are dead to the world?"

"Your life as Aditha Karikalan has come to an end. You will soon reach your new karmabhumi. You are now dead to your parents, siblings, friends, subjects and everyone else. You have effectively lost your identity as Aditha Karikalan, the chola crown prince", said the seer.

Aditha was miffed. "You have not answered all my questions", he said, not believing one word of what the old man said.

"The harsh truth first for a brave-heart like you. And i didn't save you. You saved yourself when you married Nandini. It is her mangalya balam (the power of her nuptial knot) that protected you. Had you married any other princess, you would have been dead today", said the seer.

"I have always known that my wife is my most precious asset. Though living, i have felt lifeless without her before", said Aditha.

"That's why she will also go with you to the new land, losing everyone and everything else she owns. And so will your son.", said the old man.

"We will go to Kanchi and nowhere else. That is after we meet our parents, brothers and sisters in Thanjai", said Aditha.

"You won't. You can only tread in the path i show you."

"Who are you and why should i listen to you?", asked Aditha.

"Your well-wisher. You were destined to die young. You have earned a new lease of life thanks to your wife's immense love for you and devotion to her lord. And you will lead that new life in a far-away land after shedding your identity", said the old man.

Nandini interrupted now. "Oh seer! I don't value anything more than my husband and son. I am ready to go with Aditha anywhere, shunning everyone else if i have to. We owe our lives to you. Weren't you the one who saved me from Pandiya attackers on my way to Kadambur? And you are the same man who prophesied a bad outcome for my husband in Mallai", said Nandini.

"What?, exclaimed Aditha.

"Aditha! I started driving from Kanchi in the general direction of Kadambur. I asked a shopkeeper the route to Kadambur. She pointed at a chariot before me and said, 'My husband has just started and is heading to Kadambur to meet our daughter. Follow him till you reach Kadambur and you can then easily find your place once you are there.' So i followed the man. I could see the flying part of his yellow turban from my chariot. Midway through the journey, i was almost waylaid by Pandiya ruffians who chased me from behind. The seer in front took a sharp turn , gesturing me to do the same to circumvent the waylayers. I took the sudden sharp turn and Kannan was thrown above in the air from his enclosure due to the impact. I lost my breath for a minute. But he landed safely back in my arms in a moment. And i followed the seer through bylanes upon bylanes. The ruffians lost track of us. We made our way to Kadambur but i lost sight of the seer after that", Nandini explained.