When two-thirds of the dark night had passed, the dusty plain began to throb with the thunder of Turanian hooves. Nastihan, leading a vengeful vanguard, sought to launch a crushing dawn raid upon the Iranian encampment. Yet the vigilant sentinels of Iran espied the moving mountain of troops through the dim light of breaking day and spurred swiftly back to inform General Goudarz.
Goudarz, wise and battle-hardened, summoned young Bizhan, son of Giv. Commending his valor, he bade him choose a thousand elite horseback warriors to intercept the oncoming strike. Bizhan selected a battalion of lion-hearted champions and rode out into the mist. As dark storm clouds descended from the mountains and veiled the valley, Bizhan caught sight of the iconic banner of the House of Viseh fluttering above Nastihan.
Drawing his bow, Bizhan pierced the steed of Nastihan with a swift arrow. The charger stumbled and fell in agony. Before Nastihan could recover, Bizhan closed the distance and brought down a heavy mace directly onto the helmeted skull of the Turanian prince, crushing it instantly. Bizhan then called out to his warriors to put aside their bows and butcher the enemy with heavy maces and swords, declaring the Turanians to be radiant of face but devoid of true combat prowess. Inspired by his prowess, the Iranians charged like furious elephants, routing the Turanian vanguard.
When Piran realized his beloved brother Nastihan had not returned from the fray, the world turned black before his eyes. He dispatched a swift courier to inspect the bloody field. The courier returned with tragic tidings: Nastihan lay dead, his body bruised dark blue like indigo and felled like a slain elephant. Upon hearing this, Piran lost his senses to grief. He tore his royal robes, plucked his hair, and wept bitterly, bewailing the loss of his brother who had been a fierce lion in battle.
Yet revenge burned in Piran's breast. He ordered the brass horns sounded and the giant war drums beaten, leading the Turanian host down from Mount Gonabad. Goudarz raised the sacred Kavian Banner, marshalling his heroes armed with bull-headed maces and glittering blades. A violent battle raged from morning until twilight covered the land. At dusk, both armies withdrew to their camps. Returning to Zibad, Goudarz pondered the day's victory, foreseeing that Piran would now dispatch couriers to King Afrasiab for reinforcements, prompting him to prepare an urgent report for King Kay Khosrow.