The heavens darkened as a fierce and violent tempest swept across the plains. Thunder crashed and rain poured in torrents, turning the earth into a vast mirror of water and throwing the encampment of General Rashnavad into turmoil. Young Darab, his true royal lineage yet hidden beneath a warrior's simple tunic, sought refuge from the merciless downpour. Across the plain stood the solitary remnant of an ancient ruin—a high, crumbling arch that had once formed the heart of a glorious royal palace. Lacking a tent, companion, or shelter of his own, Darab lay down upon the cold earth beneath the battered arch to rest.
As General Rashnavad rode through the storm to inspect his army's perimeter, a mysterious, unseen voice thundered from within the ruined vault: "O crumbling arch, stay vigilant! Guard and protect this future King of Iran, who came seeking shelter beneath thee without a tent or comrade!" Rashnavad reined in his steed in astonishment, wondering if the voice was the roaring of thunder or a divine call from heaven. A second time the mysterious cry echoed: "O arch, close not the eye of wisdom, for within thee rests the son of King Ardashir!" A third time the sacred roar reverberated through the tempest.
His heart filled with awe and dread, Rashnavad dispatched wise officers to search the ruins. They discovered a youth sleeping upon the mud, possessing the countenance of a legendary champion and the majesty of kings. Hearing of this, Rashnavad commanded that the young man be summoned forth immediately. The moment Darab placed his foot upon his horse's stirrup and stepped out from under the vault, the ancient arch collapsed into a mountain of dust and rubble.
Witnessing this undeniable divine omen and the radiant royal glory resting upon the youth, Rashnavad bowed his head in prayer to the Almighty God. He brought Darab into his grand pavilion, clad him in magnificent robes, and kindled a fire like a mountain while burning precious musk and ambergris. At dawn, the general bestowed upon Darab a fine charger with golden trappings, a lasso, and a sword in a golden scabbard, then asked him to speak truthfully of his origins. Darab opened his heart and recounted the secret story of the floating wooden chest, the glittering ruby, the armlet, and the golden dinars exactly as the washerman's wife had revealed to him. Recognizing the truth of the divine sign, Rashnavad instantly dispatched swift couriers like the wind to bring the washerman, his wife, the jewel, and their witnesses Bahram and Zuhrah to the camp.