When Prince Taynush unleashed insolent and bitter words within the royal hall, Sekandar—sitting present disguised as his own imperial envoy—flared up like a tempestuous wind. Turning upon the prince, Sekandar declared that no one could count him among true men, for he knew no reverence in the presence of royalty; were it not for the divine glory and grace of the queen, he would sever Taynush's head like fruit from a bough and display it to the hosts to avenge King Fur. The ferocity of the envoy's thunderous rebuke left Taynush reeling in confusion. Queen Qeydafeh, fully aware that the envoy was Sekandar himself, raised her voice to quiet her son, declaring that these were the words of a great sovereign, and ordered Taynush to be escorted out to the open plain.
Once they were alone, Qeydafeh privately warned Sekandar that her fiery, demon-spirited son might plot some harm or treachery in secret. Yet Sekandar wisely counseled that it was unfitting to leave the prince alienated, requesting his return to the hall. When Taynush re-entered, Sekandar seated him near his throne and spun a masterwork of deception. He claimed that he too suffered under Sekandar's tyranny, sent across the world to demand tribute so that all enemy vengeance might fall upon his own head. He then laid out a daring scheme: if Taynush would grant him riches, treasures, and a high place at court, he would entice Sekandar away from his grand host, luring him completely unarmed into a shaded thicket along the road, where Taynush could easily ambuscade him with a thousand elite horsemen and avenge the fallen kings, Dara and Fur.
Enraptured by the prospect of such effortless vengeance, Taynush flourished like a free cypress. He readily swore to grant the messenger vast hordes of treasure, noble steeds, and the supreme office of imperial treasurer. Sekandar clasped Taynush's hand to bind the oath, executing a deception so brilliant that the prince truly believed his dark days were over. Listening to this masterpiece of cunning, Queen Qeydafeh smiled secretly beneath her silk veil at Sekandar’s supreme ingenuity, while Sekandar departed her presence, his mind burning with grand and intricate designs.