12rokh

Following the tragic fall of Piran Viseh and the total rout of the Turanian army, Lahhak and Farshidvard—the two formidable brothers of the Turanian royal line—realized that all hope of resistance was lost. Knowing that a flock without a shepherd is doomed, they raised their banner with bloodshot eyes and heavy hearts, fleeing into the vast desert alongside ten elite horsemen. Yet, their path was intercepted by the vigilant Iranian scouts. A violent, unexpected clash erupted, soaking the desert sands in blood. Though the Iranians cut down eight of the Turanian riders, Lahhak and Farshidvard fought with the fury of trapped lions, breaking through the blockade and vanishing into the arid wastes.

When news of their escape reached Goudarz, the grand commander grew anxious. He recognized that if these two warlords reached Turan, they would rouse Afrasiab to raise a new army and exact terrible vengeance upon Iran. Goudarz called out to his warriors, asking who among them was ready to don the Roman helmet of glory and hunt down the fleeing commanders. But the Iranian host stood silent, their bodies battered and their spirits drained after the relentless combats of the Twelve Trials. Only Gustaham step forward. Having been assigned to guard the royal pavilion and war-drums throughout the main campaign, Gustaham hungered for glory and pleaded for permission to pursue the fugitives alone. Delighted by his courage, Goudarz bestowed his blessings, and Gustaham buckled on his armor and galloped into the wilderness.

Word of Gustaham's solitary crusade reached young Bijan, who immediately recognized the supreme peril. Lahhak and Farshidvard were fiercer and more dangerous than even Houman and Piran. Overcome with dread that Gustaham would be slaughtered on the plain of Daghou, Bijan leaped onto his black warhorse, Shabrang, and confronted his grandfather Goudarz. He fiercely argued that it was unjust to send a brave champion to his death. When Goudarz hesitated, Bijan swore by his blade that he would cut his own throat rather than abandon his brother-in-arms. Moved by the youth's relentless resolve, Goudarz granted him leave.

As Bijan rode out into the desert, his father Giev overtook him. Giev seized his son's reins, weeping and imploring him to return, reminding him that he had fought unceasingly for ten days without shedding his armor and that he was Giev's only son. Yet Bijan remained steadfast, reminding his father of how Gustaham had stood by him during the desperate battle of Lawan. Refusing to alter his destiny or abandon a comrade, Bijan declared he would sacrifice his life for honor. Realizing he could not break his son's resolve, Giev relented, bestowing his tearful blessing. Bijan spurred his charger into the twilight desert, racing against time to protect Gustaham from the deadly wrath of the Turanian champions.