Zal the White-Haired, the wise prince of Sistan, completed a long and arduous journey to the imperial court of Kay Kavus, accompanied by golden-girdled chieftains of Iran. Upon entering the hall and witnessing Kavus sitting triumphantly upon the throne, Zal folded his hands across his chest, lowered his head in deep reverence, and advanced to the foot of the dais. He bestowed magnificent praises upon the king, invoking divine fortune, wisdom, and justice upon his reign. Kavus received the aged champion with grand honor, seating Zal beside him on the throne and inquiring warmly after the journey, the Iranian champions, and the formidable Rostam.
Then Zal opened his lips to deliver his critical warning. He reminded Kavus of the great monarchs of antiquity—Manuchehr, Zou, Nowzar, and Kay Qobad—who, despite their vast treasures, mighty armies, and heavy war-maces, never dared to launch an invasion against Mazandaran. Zal cautioned that Mazandaran was the domain of sorcerer-demons, an impenetrable realm bound by ancient spells that could neither be conquered by swords nor dismantled by riches and cunning. He pleaded with the king not to plant a evil tree nourished by the blood of Iran's finest champions for the mere sake of expansion and pride.
However, the headstrong Kavus arrogantly dismissed Zal's counsel. Boasting of his supreme might, Kavus claimed that in manhood, royal glory, treasury, and armies, he far surpassed Fereydun, Jamshid, Manuchehr, and Kay Qobad. He declared that it was cowardice to leave Mazandaran unconquered and vowed to crush its demon lords, level their sorcerous strongholds, and extract heavy tribute. He instructed Zal to remain in Iran alongside Rostam as guardians of the homeland, asserting that the Almighty Creator was his personal ally and that the heads of demon warlords were his destined prey.
Recognizing the king's unyielding stubbornness, Zal realized that no reason could bend Kavus's reckless will. Bound by loyalty, Zal humbly bowed, stating that as servants, the heroes had done their duty by speaking the truth, yet none could alter fate or turn back death. With a heavy heart and eyes darkened by foreboding, Zal bade the sovereign farewell, exiting the royal hall to rejoin the anxious noble lords and prepare for the return trek to Sistan.