When the sun veiled its face behind the dark curtains of night and shadows marched across the vast plain, Rostam the Elephant-Bodied approached King Kay Kavus. His heart burned with vengeance and his waist was girded for battle. He sought the monarch's leave to set aside his royal cloak and armor, and slip into the enemy's stronghold under cover of darkness to behold this new world-conqueror and discern who stood beside him. Kay Kavus blessed Rostam's vigilant heart and sound body. Dressing himself in Turanian garb, Rostam ran swiftly toward the fortress.
As he neared the citadel, the raucous shouts of Turanian feasting echoed through the night. Rostam slipped inside like a fierce lion amidst a herd of gazelles. His eyes fell upon the banqueting throne: there sat Sohrab, radiant and towering like a lush cypress. At his one hand sat Zhande-Razm, and at the other sat Human and Barman, renowned war-captains. Sohrab's arms were thick as a war-camel's thighs, his chest broad as an elephant's, and his cheeks flushed like blood. Around him stood a hundred brave Turanian youths and fifty attending maidens bearing golden vessels, all chanting praises to his stature, blade, and signet.
Rostam watched from the shadows. Then Zhande-Razm stepped out of the hall into the night. In the gloom, he caught sight of a majestic figure unlike any in their host. He approached quickly, demanding: "Who art thou? Come into the light and show thy face!" Without a word, Rostam struck him upon the neck with a thunderous fist. Life fled Zhande-Razm instantly, and he collapsed frozen upon the earth.
Inside, Sohrab waited long for his uncle Zhande-Razm. Sensing something amiss, he sent warriors to search for him. They found Zhande-Razm lying cold on the ground, his soul departed. Distraught, they returned to inform Sohrab. Sohrab leapt up like smoke, hastening to the spot with torches, musicians, and retainers. Amazed and enraged, he summoned his chieftains, declaring: "Tonight there shall be no sleep! Keep your spears in hand, for a wolf has entered our fold and tested both hound and shepherd! If the World-Creator aids me, tomorrow my lasso will avenge Zhande-Razm upon the Iranians!"
Meanwhile, Rostam returned toward the Iranian camp. Gev, patrolling the night, spotted the giant shape in the dark. Gev drew his mace, raised his shield, and bellowed a challenge. Rostam recognized Gev's voice, laughed aloud, and called out. Gev dismounted in relief, greeting the legendary champion and asking where he had been in the dead of night. Rostam recounted the slaying of Zhande-Razm and proceeded straight to King Kay Kavus's pavilion. There he reported Sohrab's awe-inspiring stature, declaring that no warrior in Iran or Touran could match him—he seemed none other than Sam the Knight reborn. Astonished, the Iranian host spent the remainder of the night with wine, music, and arraying their armaments for the dawn battle.