When Garsivaz, brother of King Afrasiab, arrived at the newly built city of Siyavashgird bearing magnificent royal robes, Prince Siyavash received him with open arms and boundless hospitality. During these days of grand reception, a courier arrived from Piran Viseh with tidings of the birth of Siyavash's firstborn son by Jarireh, Piran's daughter—a blessed child named Farud. Siyavash rejoiced and showered the messenger with silver and gold. He then brought Garsivaz into the splendid palace of Princess Farangis, where the sight of golden-crowned handmaidens, regal splendor, and Siyavash's rising authority caused Garsivaz's heart to burn with bitter envy. He silently brooded that Siyavash, endowed with supreme wisdom, boundless wealth, and formidable strength, would soon bow to no man.
The following morning, Siyavash displayed his supreme athletic skill in the polo field, driving the ball so high into the vault of heaven it seemed to vanish among the stars. Garsivaz then challenged him to demonstrate his prowess with spear and bow. Taking up the heavy royal spear inherited from King Kavus's campaigns in Mazandaran, Siyavash pierced five layered coats of mail in a single thrust, casting them aside effortlessly. He then shot arrows through four stacked wooden and iron shields, drawing praise from every soldier present. Unable to stomach his own humiliation, Garsivaz urged Siyavash to match his strength against Turanian champions. Siyavash initially demurred out of respect, but upon insistence, he seized Damur and Garwi-ye Zereh—Turan's fiercest warriors—lifting them from their saddles like feathers and hurling them to the ground.
This unmatched display fueled Garsivaz's dark hatred. Returning to Afrasiab's court, he began a campaign of insidious slander, claiming that Siyavash was secretly corresponding with King Kavus, Rome, and China, gathering an army to overthrow Turan. Afrasiab initially resisted, arguing that harming a prince who had sought refuge would invite divine wrath and ruin his reputation. Yet Garsivaz persisted day after day until the king's judgment was clouded. Afrasiab sent Garsivaz back to invite Siyavash to court. Arriving with feigned tears and lamentations, Garsivaz deceived the noble prince into believing Afrasiab's heart had turned black with rage and that going to court meant certain death. Siyavash, trusting and pure of heart, agreed to stay behind and write a letter of explanation, completely unaware that he had just stepped into Garsivaz's fatal trap.