The Storm and the Missing Woman

This thread follows the storm that disrupts the planned transfer of Mandhakini, brings Poonguzhali into the palace, and leaves the royal household searching for the missing woman.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Sudden Tempest

A Sudden Tempest Weather turns violent After a season of disappointing rains, a sudden gale and downpour strike the road. Falling trees and darkness force travelers to abandon their plans and seek shelter. Separate journeys collide Poonguzhali and Amudhan take refuge in a wayside mandapam near a palanquin. The storm becomes the condition that allows an official transport mission to intersect with their search.

A Tree Falls

A Tree Falls The escort is struck A huge tree collapses across the road, trapping horses and men accompanying the palanquin. The disaster interrupts the official plan and leaves its passengers difficult to account for. A moment of confusion While the rescuers work, Mandhakini moves between the palanquin and the shelter. The darkness and confusion make a substitution possible without the escort understanding what has happened.

The Palanquin Changes Hands

The Palanquin Changes Hands A deliberate exchange Mandhakini asks Poonguzhali to enter the palanquin and sends Amudhan away with her. Poonguzhali accepts, treating the substitution as a way to trace the people holding her aunt. A mistaken arrival The palanquin reaches the city with Poonguzhali inside. Aniruddhar believes his operation has succeeded until he sees that the woman delivered to him is not Mandhakini.

The Street Erupts

The Street Erupts Rumors become a fight Velakkara soldiers and Pazhuvoor men exchange accusations over the royal crisis and the presumed death of Ponniyin Selvan. The dispute escalates into a street clash. The crowd disperses Chinna Pazhuvettarayar intervenes, and the crowd breaks apart. In the disorder, Mandhakini disappears from Poonguzhali and Azhwarkkadiyaan’s sight.

The Palace Search

The Palace Search A missing guest Kundhavai and Aniruddhar learn that Mandhakini has vanished inside the fort. They fear that she may have entered a hostile palace or followed one of the conspirators. A danger still unresolved Aniruddhar promises to search the city and insists Mandhakini will not leave without meeting Sundara Chozhar. The search instead leads toward a reunion neither he nor the king can control.

Aippasi, on the road toward Thanjavur

At night, near the Thanjavur road

A few moments after the tree strikes the escort

The morning after the storm, near Chinna Pazhuvettarayar’s palace

Later that day, after Mandhakini disappears