Esfandiyar, the bronze-bodied prince, commanded his swift black steed to be saddled with gold. Accompanied by a hundred illustrious cavaliers, he rode swiftly toward the banks of the Helmand River, his coiled lasso hanging from his saddlebow. Across the waters, the powerful neigh of Rakhsh resounded, answered immediately by the prince's charger. As both warriors neared the riverbed, Rostam dismounted from the dry bank and stepped into the shallow waters to offer a grand greeting.
Rostam offered praise to Almighty Yazdan for guiding the prince safely with his army. Looking upon Esfandiyar, Rostam declared that he saw the divine radiance of Prince Siyavash reflected in him. He blessed King Goshtasp for having such a majestic son and congratulated the realm of Iran. In response, Esfandiyar descended from his famous steed, embraced the elephant-bodied Rostam, and gave thanks to God for beholding the great World Champion. Esfandiyar remarked that standing before Rostam brought back the glorious memory of his late uncle, Zarir the lion-hearted.
With mutual reverence established, Rostam presented his warm invitation: he implored Esfandiyar to enter his hall as an honored guest and brighten his realm. However, Esfandiyar sorrowfully explained that he was bound by the absolute decree of King Goshtasp. The king had explicitly commanded him to put iron bonds upon Rostam's feet and bring him bound to the imperial court. Esfandiyar pledged that he would personally ensure Rostam suffered no indignity, keeping him chained for only a fleeting moment, and promising to bestow the entire empire upon Rostam once he ascended the throne.
Rostam passionately rejected the proposal, declaring that fetters were an indelible stain of shame. No living soul had ever seen Rostam in chains, nor would they ever. He warned Esfandiyar against letting demonic ambition or bad counsel corrupt his mind, urging him to set aside the foolish notion of chains and accept his hospitality. Esfandiyar replied that disobeying his king meant burning in the fires of the afterlife, leaving him torn between the sacred bond of host and guest and his royal duty. Nevertheless, he agreed to spend the day feasting together before fate unfolded tomorrow. Rostam returned to his palace to change his hunting attire, recounting to his ancient father Zal how Esfandiyar possessed a royal aura reminiscent of King Fereydun himself.