Following his triumphs over the demons of Mazandaran, King Kavus resolved to survey the vast expanse of his empire and display the unyielding splendor of the Kianian throne. Assembling an immense army, he set forth beyond the borders of Iran, traversing the lands of Turan and China before turning his path toward Makran. Along this victorious march, order prevailed; no burden weighed upon his men, and every ruler and chieftain hastened to offer tribute, knowing well that none could stand against the terrifying strength of the Iranian lions.
Yet as the imperial host surged into Barbaristan, the King of Barbaristan armored his warriors and chose the path of defiance. The sky turned dark beneath the swirling dust of thousands of hooves, hiding the sun itself. Seeing the enemy masses arrayed for war, Goudarz son of Kashvad drew his heavy iron mace and led a thousand renowned champions into the heart of the enemy lines. Spears shattered and blades reaped a grim harvest until the elders of Barbaristan, perceiving total ruin, came weeping before Kavus to beg for mercy and offer boundless treasure. The King granted them clemency and established new laws over their realm.
Continuing his triumph toward Mount Qaf and the western lands of Bakhtar, the local rulers yielded willingly, loading their crowns with heavy tribute to welcome the Shah. Kavus then directed his march to Zabulistan to be the honored guest of Rostam, son of Zal. For a full month in Nimruz, the court was immersed in revelry, wine, music, and the high sport of hawking. Yet fate is ever fickle, and no spring endures without thorns; word soon arrived that the lords of Egypt and Syria had raised the banner of rebellion, scorning their vassalage.
Enraged by this insolence, Kavus sounded the war drums at Nimruz and built a vast armada to cross the deep seas. For a thousand leagues the fleet braved the waters until it anchored between three realms: Egypt to the left, Barbar to the right, and Hamavaran directly ahead. The King of Hamavaran assembled a massive coalition of desert warriors and mountain chieftains to block the imperial host. Iranian paladins—Tus, Goudarz, Giv, Gurgin, Farhad, Shidoush, and Milad—spurred their chargers into the violent fray. The battlefield trembled as steel clashed and spark turned to blaze; blood flowed like rivers until the King of Hamavaran, overwhelmed by the crushing might of Iran, cast down his sword and begged for quarter, pledging heavy tribute, horses, arms, and royal treasure in exchange for peace.