A roar of battle rose from the opposing hosts, casting up dust so thick that the sun paled to lapis lazuli and stars seemed to glint through the daylight haze. Sensing his impending doom, Afrasiab selected two veteran envoys to carry a solemn message to King Kay Khosrow. He reminded Khosrow of the vast, grueling thousand leagues from Iran to Gang, lamenting that the earth from China to Iran had become a blood-red sea. Afrasiab offered to yield his crown, treasure, and realm and vanish forever—or, if Khosrow's heart burned for vengeance, to face him in single combat on a remote field so that innocent soldiers need not drown in gore.
Kay Khosrow listened to the message and pondered the challenge, telling Rostam that fighting the son of Pashang and great-grandson of Fereydun brought him no shame, especially if it might avenge his slaughtered brother Shideh. But Rostam strongly advised against it, warning the King that Afrasiab was a deceitful sorcerer whose heart was filled with cruelty and lies. Rostam insisted that a monarch should not risk his life when champions like Rostam and the valiant Giv stood ready to crush the enemy.
Persuaded by Rostam's wisdom, Khosrow sent the envoy back with a scathing refusal, recalling Afrasiab's past treachery toward Prince Siyavash. Hearing the rejection, Afrasiab was seized with despair. Yet Khosrow pressed the attack, and a violent clash ensued; arrows fell like hail upon helmets and mail, and the soil turned crimson beneath the horses' hooves until darkness enveloped the plain.
Anticipating that Afrasiab would attempt a desperate night raid to turn the tide, Kay Khosrow ordered all fires extinguished and war-bells silenced. He commanded deep trenches to be dug along the approach. Dividing his forces, he sent Tus to command the mountain passes while Rostam took the open plain, laying a lethal double-ambush to ensnare the Turanians should they dare strike under the cover of night.