Manithan Vaanam

After landing on the new shores of the Neithal Kingdom, the party and Karikala leave the beach house and head toward a small village named Damgadi, known for its palm-lumber production. The half-hour journey is swift and easy, as they reach the town with no encounters or obstacles. In a short time, the group findsthe local tavern, the Meenkaay Tavern. The party hitches their yaans in the stables, where Karikala asks if they need to separate in the tavern or if it's okay to stay together. The group decides on entering together and do so, seeing a lively crowd eating, drinking, and preparing for a special bardic performance. The party grab a table, order a spiced potato curry with some tandoori fish and attempt to eavesdrop and mingle with manithan. After eating, Karikala heads to the bar, and strikes up a conversation with the tavernkeeper. Haavani sits with a young lady named Malaa, who was waiting for a date but was stood up. They chat, Malaa describing her village life and her ignorant bliss with the political powers in control. Their conversation stops when a bard duo, Ravi and Chandar, start performing.

Their duo's song, titled Kadalon Weeps, is an ode to Kadalon and his tears that amassed into the kadal. After the song ends, they take a break and Haavani and Malaa continue their conversation. Aadhi moves to a table occupied by a boisterous group. She asks for what they're drinking and tastes something horrid. She makes a grimace, which the strangers laugh at. Aadhi then talks to them, learning that they are pirates who sail through the kadal. However before Aadhi can inquire more, the apparent leader silences her crew and tells Aadhi to leave and not mention the pirates to anyone. In the meantime, Shwari moves to the bar where the bards are. She buys Ravi, the sitarist, a drink, which he drinks happily. He explains that he and Chandar are a traveling troupe, that they started in Thaanjaagam, and that Damgadi is their last spot before they head back. Ravi promises to talk more later, but excuses him and Chandar so they can start their next performance, returning to the stage. Shwari heads back to the table, where Aadhi informs Shwari telepathically about the pirates. As everyone settles in again, the bards start their next song, this time an ode to the missing son of Nambagan. It gives mythologized account of Karikala's death as a suicidal drowning. Once the song ends, everyone is motionless, shock and sorrow shared between the audience. However, the bardic duo immediately start singing again, this time a classic drinking song. The emotional haze placed upon everyone seemingly dissipates, as the crowd dances and sings with the drinking song. Their performance ends with applause and cheers, and the bards make their way back to the bar.

Karikala leaves the tavern after the show ends, heading to the yaan stables. Haavani and Malaa maintain their conversation, Haavani asking Malaa what would happen if Karikala somehow ended up alive. Malaa reacts to the question with skepticism, saying that the truth deems Karikala dead, but, if he is supposedly alive, he would need evidence that he is indeed the heir to the Neithal throne. With that, Malaa bids Haavani goodbye and exits the tavern. Shwari heads back to the bar and talks to Ravi once more. They chat about the second song that Ravi and Chandar performed; Ravi expresses a growing discontent amongst the Thaanjaagam's citizens, especially after the news leaked that Venkataram had murdered the rest of the Neithal ministers, instituting puppet ministers instead. Shwari asks when the assassinations happened in relation to the events in Keya, which the bards and the tavernkeeper express no knowledge of. Shwari starts to explain, but then the tavernkeeper hushes her, saying to come back to the tavern after they close for a private meeting. Shwari agrees and heads out to find Aadhi, who had went to comfort Karikala. Aadhi finds Karikala tending to the yaans. They talk about the song concerning Karikala, for which he expresses dismay and melancholy. Karikala also reveals his fear of leading the kingdom, expressing a lack of confidence to do so. Aadhi comforts him, saying that he was born for this and that he will do a better job than Venkataram regardless. Karikala accepts the comfort and asks for a hug, claiming that he could not remember the last one he had. Aadhi immediately embraces him and Karikala sobs into her shoulder, the two locked for a time. Shwari enters the stables at this moment, prompting Aadhi and Karikala to break the embrace. Shwari explains the new information she learned from the bards and they both agree to wait for the tavern to close. Everyone splits up from here: Haavani stays at the tavern, Bhavannan paces warily outside, Karikala stays in the yaan stables, and, lastly Aadhi and Shwari go for a walk. On this walk, Aadhi apologizes to Shwari for being difficult and explains the growth she's undergone. Shwari forgives her, and the two chat the hours away. Once the day becomes midnight, the party reconvenes at the tavern.

The group circle around a table in the center of the tavern, and, in the next few minutes, the bards and the tavernkeeper join them as well. After everyone settles into their chairs, Bhavannan explains the events of Keya: the assassination of Murugeshwara by the hands of Venkataram. The tavernkeeper and bards listen, expressing dismay and shock at the information. Chander raises suspicion of the party, asking why they came to Damgadi and how they entered through this side of the island. After Chander raises his voice, Karikala, who was covering the bottom half of his face with a shawl, drops the cloth and reveals his identity to the unknowing Neithalese. The three fall into silence and then speak over each with surprise and indignation. Chander proclaims his disbelief, asking the group how they are to believe that the dead royal is supposedly alive. As the chatter reaches a high, Karikala slams his palm onto the table and demands respect from everyone in the room. The intimidation drops everyone to their knees, causing them to hang their heads in respect for the royal. After a few moments, Karikala asks everyone to stand and apologizes for his temper. He explains that his capture removed him from the kingdom and that the party released him from his prison. He then asks everyone help to establish him as the Neithal Raasa, to which the bards and tavernkeeper rejoice, explaining that a resistance has been forming to stop Venkataram at whatever cost. Karikala thanks everyone and expresses trust in Aadhi and Shwari to make a plan, since they are the daughters of Venkataram. Shwari grabs a paper to start drawing the Venkataram house, and thus the plotting begins in the Meenkaay tavern.