When news of Hajir's defeat and the loss of the fort's commander reached the daughter of Gozhdeham, shame and righteous fury set Gordafarid's heart ablaze. She was a lion-hearted maiden, renowned in battle, skilled in warcraft and horse riding. Refusing to linger in grief, she donned full warrior armor, bound her long silky locks under a steel helmet, and rode out of the White Fortress like a roaring lioness. Mounting her swift warhorse, she charged before the Turanian ranks, her voice echoing like thunder as she challenged their brave champions to single combat.
Sohrab smiled with youthful disdain upon beholding this new challenger, deeming the warrior a wild zebra stepping straight into the hunter's snare. Donning his Chinese armor, Sohrab rode forth to meet her. Gordafarid bent her bow and unleashed a devastating rain of arrows. Enraged by her fierce assault, Sohrab raised his shield and charged like a blazing tempest. His heavy spear struck her waist-belt, tearing through her coat of mail and lifting her clean off the saddle. In a flash of martial brilliance, Gordafarid drew her sharp sword, sliced Sohrab’s spear in two, and swiftly reseated herself upon her steed.
Realizing she could not withstand his immense physical power in direct combat, Gordafarid turned her horse and fled. Yet Sohrab pursued her relentlessly, reaching out to snatch the helmet from her head. As the steel slipped away, a cascade of radiant dark hair poured down her shoulders, revealing a face as luminous as the rising sun. Sohrab stood spellbound, amazed that such fierce valiance belonged to a maiden. Casting his coiled lasso, he bound her waist and taunted her.
Trapped within the champion's grasp, Gordafarid realized strength alone would fail her, and turned to cunning stratagem. She looked upon him and spoke soft, wise words: 'O lion-like hero, it ill becomes a champion to let two armies watch him battle a maiden. They will mock your fame, saying you fought a woman to raise dust to the clouds. Let us make peace in secret; the fortress, its wealth, and all within are now yours.' Enchanted by her exquisite beauty and soothing tongue, Sohrab yielded to her words and escorted her to the fortress gate.
The moment she crossed the threshold, the heavy iron gates slammed shut behind her. Safe within, Gordafarid climbed the high parapets, looked down upon the Turanian prince, and laughed: 'O King of Turan, distress yourself no further, for wolves of Turan shall never mate with gazelles of Iran! When King Kay Kavus and mighty Rostam hear of your invasion, not one of your soldiers will remain alive!' Realizing he had been outwitted by a maiden's sharp wit, Sohrab burned with fury, vowing to reduce the White Fortress to dust when dawn broke.