Forood

As another formidable Iranian rider advanced toward the mountain slope, Prince Farud turned to Tokhvar, inquiring of the warrior's name and lineage. Tokhvar warned the young prince that this was none other than Bizhan, the beloved son of Giv—a hero held dearer by his father than all treasures, unmatched in valor across the realm of Iran. Tokhvar cautioned Farud that Bizhan wore magical, impenetrable armor bound by Giv himself, which no arrow or javelin could pierce, and carried a blade sharp as diamond.

As Bizhan closed the distance, Farud drew his bow and loosed a shaft into Bizhan's steed. The charger collapsed instantly as if life had fled it in a single breath. Yet Bizhan sprang clear, unsheathed his gleaming blade, and rushed up the steep ridge on foot. He roared a fierce challenge, calling upon the prince to witness the fury of a dismounted lion armed with an Indian sword. Farud loosed a second shaft; it shattered Bizhan's shield, but spent its force against the hero's divine mail, failing to check his unrelenting surge.

Seeing the dismounted champion cresting the summit with blade in hand, Farud turned back toward the fortress gates. Bizhan pursued swiftly on foot, striking the barded flank of Farud's horse, slicing through armor and felling the beast. Farud scrambled inside the fortress gates just as his defenders barred the heavy doors and unleashed a hail of stones from the ramparts. Realizing the hazard of remaining under the walls, Bizhan shouted a taunt at Farud for retreating, then made his way back to the main encampment.

Returning to Commander Tus, Bizhan recounted the breathtaking archery and formidable prowess of the young warrior atop the ridge. Tus, his heart burning with grief over the death of his son Zarasp, swore a terrible oath by the Almighty Creator to raise the dust of the fortress to the sun and turn the hard stones of the stronghold into red coral with enemy blood.