Manoochehr

As dawn broke, Sam Nariman arose from his rest and convened a solemn council of mobads, wise counselors, and astrologers to unlock the riddle of his son Zal's letter. He questioned them: 'How can two lineages, opposed like water and fire, rooted in the ancient enmity of Fereydun and Zahhak, be joined together? What shall be the ultimate outcome of such a union?' The star-gazers spent the long hours of the day searching the turnings of the heavens. At last, with beaming faces and joy in their eyes, they returned to the commander, declaring that destiny itself had decreed the joyful union of these two lineages.

The astrologers revealed to Sam that from the union of Zal and Rudabeh, daughter of Mehrab of Kabul, there would be born a mighty, elephant-bodied champion. With his sword he would bring the world under his heel and elevate the throne of the Iranian Shah above the clouds. He would extirpate the roots of evil-doers, leaving no refuge for wickedness upon the earth; neither Sagsar nor Mazandaran would stand before his heavy mace. He would grant rest to the suffering and shut the gates of war and affliction. In him would lie the hope of all Iranians, and even fierce leopards would bow their heads before his war-steed.

Upon hearing these radiant predictions, Sam laughed with delight and showered the astrologers with boundless gold and silver. He then summoned Zal's messenger, telling him: 'Though this desire seemed impossible at first, I shall not break the oath I swore to my son.' Rewarding the envoy with silver, Sam bade him speed back to Zal with the joyful news. At nightfall, as the war-drums and trumpets echoed through the royal pavilion, Sam led his triumphant army back toward Iran, dragging a thousand captives of the Gorgsaran in chains. When the messenger reached Zal with Sam's blessing, Zal praised the Almighty and showered gifts of gold upon the poor in boundless gratitude.