A shadow of grief fell upon the Iranian host as dark tidings echoed through the camp: Zarir, the formidable knight and warrior prince, had fallen in the heat of battle. Consumed by anguish and fury, King Goshtasp declared before his warlords that whosoever should step forth to avenge his brother and crush the enemy would be granted his daughter, Princess Homay, in marriage—calling upon God Almighty as witness to his solemn oath.
Upon hearing of his uncle's death, Prince Esfandiyar struck his hands together in bitter sorrow, lamenting the cruel turn of fate. For long he had feared for the life of that unyielding hero who could rip iron mountains from the earth. Resolving to channel his grief into fierce resolve, Esfandiyar committed his banner and line command to his brothers, five wise and valiant princes, and strode into the heart of the battlefield. Taking the slain Zarir's place, he girt his loins for war and raised the blessed, sacred banner high into the air.
Standing like a majestic lion before the army, Esfandiyar rallied the noble warriors of Iran. He exhorted them to hold fast to the divine faith of the Creator and reminded them that no soul perishes before its allotted time; if death be decreed by fate, no end is more glorious than falling upon the field of honor. He commanded them not to turn back, nor to fear the clash of steel, but to hurl their spearpoints into the enemy ranks and display true chivalry.
As Esfandiyar's rousing words stirred the hearts of the troops, the mighty voice of King Goshtasp boomed down from the mountain heights. Goshtasp urged his host to stand firm against spear, mace, and blade, for none can escape divine destiny. Then, swearing by the holy faith and the blessed soul of Zarir now ascending to paradise, the king announced his sacred vow: as he had once promised his father Lohrasp, upon returning victorious from this bloody struggle, he would surrender the throne, the royal crown, and supreme command of Iran to his heroic son, Esfandiyar.