When the Iranian host reached the foot of the White Mountain and beheld two solitary riders standing upon the high crags, Tus, the Commander-in-Chief, flared with rage. Halting the war-elephants and drums, he commanded that a swift warrior ride up the precipice to identify the strangers. He ordered that if they were Iranian stragglers, they should receive two hundred lashes; if enemy Turanians, they should be brought down in chains; and if spies sent to count the army, they should be sliced in two upon the peak.
Bahram, the noble son of Gudarz, took up the mandate. Mounting his charger, he rode up the steep incline with a troubled mind. From the summit, Prince Farud observed the oncoming rider and asked his veteran advisor Tokhar who this fearless horseman might be. Tokhar examined the warrior's armaments closely and counseled caution: 'This man wears the royal helmet and body armor that King Kay-Khusraw wore when he fled Touran. I suspect he is of the glorious house of Gudarz. Greet him with soft words.'
Reaching the peak, Bahram thundered like a dark cloud: 'Who are you to stand atop this peak, unfearful of the boundless army of Tus and the roar of his war-horns?' Farud replied with calm majesty: 'Do not speak with harshness! You are no lion and I no wild ass of the desert. I lack nothing of your strength, wit, or courage. Speak gently, and let us converse with wisdom.' Softened by his demeanor, Bahram recounted the leaders of the Iranian host—naming Tus, Gudarz, Giv, Rohham, Gurgin, Shidush, Farhad, Gustahm, and Zangey-e Shavaran—yet omitting his own name.
Farud smiled and asked: 'Why have you left out Bahram? My mother, Jarireh, told me that when the host arrives, I must seek out Bahram and Zangey-e Shavaran, for they are like brothers to my father Siyavash.' Astonished, Bahram cried: 'Are you indeed Prince Farud, the offspring of that royal tree?' He requested to see the famous birthmark of Siyavash. Farud bared his forearm, revealing the musk-black mark that no painter of Cathay could replicate. Beholding this, Bahram bowed before him in reverence.
Farud joyfully offered rich hospitality, proposing a week of feasting, gifts of horses and weapons, after which he would bind his waist to avenge his father Siyavash alongside the Iranian forces. Yet Bahram, knowing the arrogant nature of Tus, issued a grave warning: 'O young King, Tus is foolish and headstrong. He harbors resentment against us because he sought the throne for Fariburz rather than Khusraw. If I return to persuade him, he may reject my words in fury. Should anyone other than me ride up this mountain, do not trust him; retreat into your fortress and lock its gates!' Farud then presented Bahram with a turquoise-hilted golden mace as a token of brotherhood before Bahram descended the mountain to face Tus.