As the sun cast its golden lasso across the lofty vault of heaven and the eastern sky blazed with light, the valiant Sohrab donned his mail of war and mounted his iron-grey steed. With an Indian blade in his grasp, a royal helmet upon his head, and a coiled lasso at his saddle-bow, he ascended a commanding height to gaze down upon the vast Iranian encampment. Bringing forth his captive Hajir, Sohrab warned him that an arrow shot crookedly never hits its mark, vowing that absolute truth would bring him liberty and immense riches, whereas falsehood would forfeit his head.
Hajir pledged to reveal the host truthfully. Sohrab began questioning him banner by banner. He pointed first to the magnificent seven-colored pavilion guarded by a hundred armored elephants; Hajir identified it as the royal seat of King Kay Kavus. Next, Sohrab noted the black tent on the right flank fronted by an elephant-emblazoned standard, which Hajir named as Tus, son of Nowzar. Of the red pavilion bearing a golden lion banner, Hajir spoke the name of the majestic Goudarz, son of Kashvad.
Then Sohrab's eyes fell upon a lush green pavilion surrounded by a boundless host. Before it stood the glorious Kiani standard, and upon an elevated throne sat a titan of a hero—a cubit taller than any warrior standing before him—beside a mighty charger whose coiled lasso reached the ground, beneath a banner depicting a fearsome dragon crested by a golden lion. Sohrab's heart throbbed, recognizing every sign of his father Rostam described by his mother Tahmineh. Yet when he pressed Hajir for the champion's name, Hajir reasoned within his soul: 'If I reveal the World-Champion to this Turkish youth of incredible power, Rostam might fall by his hand, leaving Iran defense-less and Kay Kavus dethroned. Better that I die honorably than live to see my nation destroyed.' Thus, Hajir concealed the truth, claiming the giant was merely a newly arrived lord from China whose name he did not recall.
Sohrab's spirit sank into deep melancholy at finding no trace of his father. Though Hajir went on to identify the wolf-banner of Gev, the silk pavilion of Fariburz, and the boar-banner of Goraz, Sohrab returned again and again to the green pavilion. Even when threatened with execution, Hajir stood firm in his deception, asserting that Rostam was far away feasting in the rose gardens of Zabulistan. Scornful of Hajir's claims and burning with unanswered longing, Sohrab prepared himself to descend into the arena of fate.