As the radiant sun withdrew behind the dark rim of the heavens and night enveloped the world, Prince Siyavash led his army across the swirling waters of the Oxus (Jayhun). Tears of silent sorrow rained from his eyes, for he was leaving behind his native Iranian realm. Arriving at Termez, he found the city attired like eternal spring, rich with fragrances and glowing hues; indeed, every township unto Chach bloomed like a royal bride adorned with crown and necklace. At every staging post, lavish feasts and delicate delicacies were prepared until the host reached Qachqar Bashi, where they rested.
News of the prince’s crossing reached Piran Viseh, the legendary Turanian chieftain and wise counselor. Piran prepared a grand welcoming embassy. Selecting a thousand noble warriors from his own kin, he decorated four white elephants, bearing upon one a turquoise throne surmounted by a pavilion woven of cloth-of-gold. A hundred noble steeds with golden saddles and a hundred moon-faced maidens with golden girdles marched beside an army as vast as the starry sphere. When Siyavash sighted Piran's royal banner and heard the trumpets and elephant trumpeting, he dismounted swiftly and rushed forward to embrace the venerable leader. Piran kissed the prince's face and hands, giving thanks to Yazdan for his safety, proclaiming that King Afrasiab would henceforth be a father to him, and all Turan his devoted servants.
Though harps and lutes resounded along the road and the soil was fragrant with musk and gold, Siyavash was often overcome with melancholic longing. Memories of Zabulistan, Kabulistan, and the beloved land of Iran flared within his chest like fire. Perceiving his grief, Piran gently comforted him, assuring him that Afrasiab was a godly, righteous monarch of high wisdom, and that all the power, treasures, and cavalry of Turan stood at his disposal. Comforted by Piran's tender affection, Siyavash bonded with him as a son to a father, and together they journeyed toward the royal city of Gang.
Learning of Siyavash's arrival, King Afrasiab himself dismounted from his horse and walked on foot outside his palace gates to greet him. Siyavash leaped down and ran toward the monarch. The two embraced warmly, exchanging kisses of peace. Afrasiab proclaimed: 'From this day, conflict and war are dead! The sheep and the leopard shall drink from the same stream, and the world finds tranquility in you.' The king assigned to Siyavash a splendid palace bedecked with Chinese silk, golden thrones carved with buffalo-head legs, and an entourage of servants. For a whole week, continuous banquets were held, and Afrasiab grew so fond of Siyavash that he could not sleep without seeing the prince's face.
In the days that followed, Afrasiab invited Siyavash to the polo field. There, Siyavash demonstrated such magnificent horsemanship and strike precision that his ball soared beyond the moon, earning the awe of the Turanian noblemen. In archery, he easily strung a massive royal bow that no Turanian champion could bend, effortlessly placing three consecutive arrows into the exact center of the target while riding at full gallop. During a royal hunt, Siyavash severed a wild ass cleanly in two with a single strike of his sword, such that both halves weighed precisely the same. The Turanians marvelled at his divine aura and martial power, and Afrasiab’s affection deepened even further.
After a year had passed, Piran suggested that Siyavash firmly establish his roots in Turan. He offered his own virtuous and beautiful daughter, Jarireh, in marriage. Siyavash gratefully accepted, and their union brought great happiness. Soon after, seeking to bind Siyavash irrevocably to the royal house of Turan, Piran proposed that Siyavash wed Afrasiab’s eldest daughter, Princess Farangis, renowned for her supreme intellect, beauty, and noble grace. Though haunted by prophetic forebodings of his future tragic doom, Siyavash consented out of deference to fate.
When Piran approached Afrasiab with the proposal, the king initially hesitated, recalling the ominous prophecies of astrologers who had foretold that a union between the lineage of Kay Qobad and Afrasiab would produce an heir destined to bring utter ruin upon Turan. But Piran persuaded the king that such a marriage would cement everlasting peace between the two realms. Convinced, Afrasiab granted Farangis to Siyavash, providing an immense dowry of jewels, pearls, musk, golden thrones, and a royal charter granting him sovereignty over vast lands extending to the borders of China and the ocean. Farangis was escorted to Siyavash's palace with regal grandeur, and seven days of triumphant celebration echoed across the land.
Afrasiab granted Siyavash leave to explore his broad domain and choose a location for his permanent seat. Journeying with Farangis and Piran, Siyavash discovered a breathtaking realm nestled between high mountains and the sea, blessed with running streams and lush foliage. He decided to erect a magnificent city there. However, when astrologers warned that the stars boded ill for building at that site, Siyavash wept in quiet resignation. He drew Piran aside and unveiled his prophetic knowledge: 'I know the divine glory and the secrets of the heavens. This city shall be built, but my life shall be short. Innocent, I shall be foully murdered by Afrasiab through the slanders of evil men. My blood shall boil across the earth, unleashing a war of devastating vengeance between Iran and Turan.' Piran was shaken by these words, though he secretly hoped the prince's grief was merely nostalgic longing for his lost homeland.
Siyavash set to work, founding the legendary fortress-city of Siyavashgird. He constructed walls two hundred cubits high and thirty-five cubits thick, fashioned of stone, marble, and rare minerals. Within, he built lofty palaces, sublime gardens, fountains, and wide avenues. On the grand palace walls, he commissioned exquisite murals depicting the monarchs and heroes of both realms: on one side sat King Kay Kaus, Rostam the Elephant-Bodied, Zal, and Goudarz; on the opposite side stood King Afrasiab, Piran, Garsivaz, and the Turanian host. Siyavashgird stood as an earthly paradise.
When Piran returned from a state mission collecting tribute from India and China, he visited Siyavashgird. Overwhelmed by its incomparable splendor, he bowed in prayer, thanking Yazdan for allowing such beauty to exist. Returning to King Afrasiab, Piran reported the wondrous accomplishment of Siyavashgird. Delighted by the news, Afrasiab dispatched his brother Garsivaz laden with rich treasures, golden saddles, precious gems, and royal garments to convey his blessings and honor to Prince Siyavash and Princess Farangis in their magnificent new paradise.