When news of King Peroz’s tragic demise at the hands of the Hephthalites swept across the realm, his young son Balash remained cloaked in profound mourning for a full month, his head covered in dust and his face furrowed with grief. Once the solemn rite of sorrow had passed, the Grand Mobad along with the wisest magnates of the realm assembled at court. They offered sound, invaluable counsel to the prince, placed him upon the throne of the Sasanians, and showered him with gold and precious jewels.
Upon taking the throne, Balash addressed the gathered lords: 'Your honor in my eyes shall be magnified whenever my own judgment is enlightened by your wisdom. Whoever acts with virtue in this world must strive to keep our royal word unshaken. If a malevolent actor arises, I shall first enrich him with wise counsel; should he reject it, I shall fashion a crown from his blood. It is my sacred duty to uproot the tree of oppression and shield the vulnerable.' The nobles voiced their glowing praises and departed with hearts full of confidence.
Before marching into his fatal campaign, Peroz had entrusted the guardianship of the realm, the crown, and young Balash to Sufray—a battle-hardened champion of Shiraz and the formidable warden of the eastern marches, governing Zabulistan, Bast, Ghaznin, and Kabulistan. When word of Peroz’s fall reached Sufray, he wept bitterly, tore his Parthian robes, and sat in deep mourning alongside his captains. Yet his grief swiftly turned to righteous fury. Resolving that such an outrage against Iran must not go unanswered, he sounded the war drums and assembled a hundred thousand eager, sword-wielding warriors.
Sufray dispatched a poignant epistle to Balash, offering condolences while reminding him of the transient nature of mortal life, invoking the memory of ancient sovereigns like Jamshid, Kay Qobad, and Kay Khosrow. He pledged to march forth with the King’s blessing to Merv, swearing to avenge Peroz’s blood against Khushnavaz with such ferocity that the very sun and moon would weep. Arraying his vast host like the dazzling plumage of a pheasant, Sufray set out from Zabulistan, determined to exact a bloody retribution.