Title: The Chozhan empire's deadly sword.

Nandini rested her cheek on her palms and looked at Karikalan’s peaceful face. He fell asleep beside her, snuggling her other hand close to his heart. A smile was drawn on Nandini’s face. He looked so childish in his sleep. His mid-length curly hair fell on his face when the wind blew. Nandini caressed his forehead with her soft palms.

Oh! How much she loved this man. She would give anything to be with him forever, she was lost in her thoughts. She imagined the moment when he would take her hand, and their marriage being celebrated throughout the Chozha empire. People who have looked down on her would regret it. All her life this was the case, She was just treated like a helper, just a girl who sings in the temple. She felt unimportant wherever she went. Even his sister treats her like that. Only Adithan respected her as a fellow human. But that won’t be the case after she marries him. Everyone will respect her. Everyone.

The sun's rays peaked through the mountains shyly and lit up the sleeping Prince’s face. Nandini looked at him with her eyes overflowing with love, but it was cut short. The guards marching far away could be heard which shook Nandini awake from her dream. She looked back, they seemed to come in their direction, and this panicked her. “Karikalare,” She shook Adithan’s shoulders, but he didn’t wake up. Nandini bit her fingers in panic. “Karikalare??” She whispered again but he was sleeping like a baby. She finally gave up after a few tries. The footsteps came closer and closer.

She gently slid away her hands from his chest and got up, she looked back at him and took off.

***

"Nandini," Karikalan groaned as he rolled over, he hoped to snuggle closer to Nandini but was instead met with icy cold water. Karikalan gasped as he fell into the river. He kicked up his legs and swam to the surface. "Ughh!" He whined at his stupidity.

He got to the shore and coughed out the water. Well, that's one way to wake up in the mornings, just plunge yourself down the river. He was still in a faze. He shook his head and wiped his face so he could see clearly. Adithan hit his forehead. How stupid it was to fall asleep near a river. He made a mental note not to do that ever again.
"Anna!" He heard his sister's voice calling from a distance.

"Haan!" His voice was shrill. He coughed to clear his voice.

Kundavai made her way to him, and little Arulmozhi followed her as usual. She stood, shocked, as soon as she saw her brother drenched in water.

"Anna! What is this?" She asked with a smile playing on her lips.

"If you told me you were going to take a bath in the river I would've come too no, Anna!?" Little Arulmozhi chimed.

"Me–uh…" Adithan stuttered and ran his hand through his wet hair. "Nandini," He whispered to himself in a low tone and turned around to look for her.

Kundavai crossed her arms and gave her brother a deadly glare. "Were you with her again?" She asked.

"With who?" Adithan asked her acting like he didn't know what she was talking about.

"Her," She emphasized. She raised her eyebrows but Karikalan acted out a confused look. She threw her hands in the air and scoffed. “Nandini!” She said as if she was rolling poison in her mouth.

“Pufff, No…” He scoffed as he avoided Kundavai’s glaring eyes. “Hey, Father asked me to meet me after sunrise, c’mon let's go,” He huddled Kundavai and Arulmozhi away from the river.
Kundavai knew her brother was hiding something, whatever he was up to, Kundavai didn’t approve of it. She hated Nandini. Kundavai was the kind of person who loves everyone and respects them regardless of their status, but something about Nandini irks her. Maybe there was a tinge of jealousy in her pure heart? Or was she merely looking out for her brother?

“Thambi…” He whispered. Arulmozhi turned back, and Adithan gestured for him to keep quiet. “Did you go to the temple?” He asked in a low tone.

“Yes, I and Akka went,” He copied Kairkalan’s whisper talk. Adithan looked back at Kundavai who was in a world of her own and enjoying the sunrise. She looked at the fluttering, colorful butterflies in awe.

“Did you see, Nandini?” He whispered to Arulmozhi.

“Akka told me not to tell you if you asked,” He said that and turned back.

“Arulmozhi!” He called out again but without turning back he shook his head.

“I won’t tell you!” Arulmozhi giggled as he started walking faster. Adithan chased him down and picked him up with ease. “Anna! Let me down,” He cried out.

“You’ll always listen to your dear sister only no?” He said as he dearly ruffled his hair. “I won’t let you down until you answer my question,” He laughed. Arulmozhi kicked his legs and tried to get out of Adithan’s grip but failed miserably. Kundavai was shaken out of her world by these two’s antics. She marched towards her brothers.

“Okay, Anna, I will tell,” Arulmozhi gave up, he couldn’t escape Aditahn’s bear hug. He looked at Kundavai who was walking towards them with a look of suspicion. “Don’t tell Akka that I told you,”

“You’re really scared of your sister huh?” Adithan asked. Arulmozhi’s face reddened. “Okay, tell,” He said.

“We saw Nandini Akka in the temple,” Arulmozhi let out before Kundavai caught up with them.

“Anna! What are you doing with my brother, let him down,” She commanded. She was very protective of her dear brother, He too respected her sister a lot.

“He’s my brother also, Princess,” Adithan joked as he let Arulmozhi down. Arulmozhi looked at Kundavai like he stole something.

“What were you talking about?” Kundavai asked. Arulmozhi looked at his brother. Adithan bit his lips trying to think of a lie.

“I was asking Anna about the war,” Arulmozhi chimed up and looked at his brother.

“Ahh–yea,” Adithan nodded but Kundavai didn’t look satisfied.

Regardless, they started walking towards the palace. The guards were swapping their position and the merchants started to enter one by one for trading and stuff. But today it was different than usual, there were more people than usual.

“Why are there so many people?” Adithan asked.

“They’re here to see you, Anna,” Kundavai said.

“Me? Why?” Adithan asked confused.

“You’re going to war no? They’re here to send you off…” Kundavai said.
“Haan, Anna,” Arulmozhi said excitedly, They entered the other pathway where the common people were not allowed. “It’s soo cool that you’re going to war! You’ll kill people and win wars like Pazhuvettaiyar thatha!” He said while making slashing fighting movements with his hands Karikalan smiled at him. But Kundavai didn’t share the same excitement as her brother. She was worried about Karikalan since it was his first war.

“When will you take me with you Anna? I want to fight too,” Arulmozhi beamed. Kundavai looked at him and smiled.

“You’re in the size of a sword you want to fight?” Kundavai laughed. Karikalan joined her which annoyed Arulmozhi.

“I will take you when you’re old enough, thambi,” Kairkalan patted his shoulders. They entered the palace, the concrete pathway turned into a marble one, and the cluttering of their shoes echoed through the hallway. The oil lamps were beautifully lit giving the whole corridor a golden look.

They were a few feet away from the king’s chambers when Kundavai stopped them.

“Appa wanted to talk to you alone,” Kundavai told Karikalan. He nodded. “Come Arulmozhi,” She held out her hand to him. He held her finger with his hands and walked away with Kundavai. Adithan looked back at them before stepping in front of the chamber. Two guards were situated in front of the large chamber doors.

“Good morning, Ilavarese,” The guard bowed down and wished Kairkalan. (Ilavarase - Prince)

“Good morning,” Karikalan wished back with a charming smile, “Father wanted to meet me it seems…”

“Yes, yes,” He’s waiting for you,” The guard said as he pushed open the large door. Adithan stepped inside the empty hall and the door creaked shut behind him.

The room was massive. It was similarly lit to the corridor outside.

There were huge murals of previous Chozha kings on the wall. They were shown as great warriors, Adithan had looked at this wall for many years but everytime he looked at it, it gave him goosebumps. The bravery they radiate even in the paintings made him gape in awe. He one day wishes to be among them.

"Aditha," He heard his father raspy voice calling him out from the other side of the room.

"Appa," Adithan approached him. Sundara Chozhan smiled at his son.

Adithan bowed down and touched his father's feet to get blessings.

"You shall always be well, my son," He blessed him. "Are you ready for the war, Karikala," He asked as they walked along the mural.

Adithan nodded confidently. "I was born ready, father," He smiled. Sundara Chozhan gave him a sad smile, he was scared of his son's overconfidence. This was Adithan's one of two weaknesses. One, He was always overconfident, two, he's very temperamental. Sembiyan Mahadevi and his mother always tried to teach him how to control his anger, but they always ended up failing.

Sundara Chozhan patted his back and led him to Adithan's favourite section of the mural. Karikalan, the one who built Kallanai. Karikalan's legs were painted black, signifying his scorched leg. That's what earned him his name, "Karikalan". The man with the scorched leg. He sat bravely on an elephant charging towards mighty armies.

"Do you know who he is?" Sundara Chozhan asked, pointing at the painting.

"Haan, Karikalan, the man who conquered and ruled from Kumari to the Himalayas," Adithan replied. "The true owner of my name," He added.

"Do you know why I named you after him?" Sundara Chozhan asked. Adithan shook his head. "So you too will bring fame and fortune to the Chozha empire like this man did," Sundara Chozhan explained. "Great leader he was, A well-wisher to his people too," the king added. "I want you to possess all these qualities, Aditha…this is what makes a good king," He announced, Adithan nodded at his father's words.

"I will do my level best to uphold his name, father," He said. "I'll live up to his legacy," This was a mammoth task, to replicate the great Karikalan's legacy, but Adithan was happy to take up this task.

Sundara Chozhan nodded and patted his back. "Come," He said as he moved to the other side of the room. Adithan followed him.

Sundara Chozhan picked up a golden plate which was covered in red silk. He removed the cloth to reveal a beautiful sword. It had two tigers made of gold decorating the handle of the world, the sword's blade shimmered in the golden flame light. He handed it to Adithan, who looked at it in awe.

It still felt a little hot due to it coming straight from the palace blacksmith.

"I ordered it to be made, specially for you," Sundara Chozhan said.

Adithan looked at the blade, its reflection could be seen in his eyes, "Thank you, father," He thanked him for the beautiful blade.

"Go, get ready, We have a Pooja before you leave for war," Sundara Chozhan said. Adithan nodded and left the room with the sword around his waist.