In the city of Jahrom dwelled a ignoble man of ill repute named Mehrak-e Nushzad. When word reached him that King Ardashir was trapped in severe distress beside the pool near the fortress of the Worm—his supply lines completely severed—Mehrak seized the opportunity. Gathering an immense army, he marched upon the royal palace in Jahrom, plundered Ardashir's royal treasury, and distributed bags of coin and rich crowns among his troops.
When news of this betrayal reached King Ardashir at the water's edge, he became deeply troubled. He lamented his error in taking the field against distant enemies before securing his own home realm. Calling together his generals and nobles, Ardashir spoke of the bitter turns of fortune and the treason of Mehrak. The loyal commanders voiced their unbreakable allegiance, swearing that they were but his servants and ready to carry out his royal command.
To raise their spirits, Ardashir ordered a banquet prepared with wine, cupbearers, and musicians. As the feast began and roasted lamb was served, just as Ardashir reached for bread, a swift arrow descended magically from above and drove deeply into a fat roasted lamb on the royal table, sinking fully into the meat. The warrior-nobles halted their meal in astonishment. A royal scribe stepped forward and extracted the shaft from the lamb.
Inscribed upon the wooden arrow in Middle Persian script was a startling message. The scribe read aloud: this arrow had been loosed from the rooftop of the distant fortress, borne by the ascendant fortune of the Worm. Though two leagues separated the fortress from the king's banquet table, had the archers intended to slay Ardashir himself, the shaft would have pierced his heart. The message warned the monarch not to humiliate himself against the mighty Worm. Astonished by a shot crossing two full leagues, the nobles marveled at the divine glory protecting the king and offered prayers to the Creator.