Having restored order in Gilan, King Khosrow Anushirvan set forth toward Ctesiphon accompanied by an immeasurable host that filled the horizon. As they marched, a vast army of desert spearmen appeared in the distance, from which a noble rider galloped forward. Dismounting, the messenger announced that Al-Mundhir, leader of the Arabs, had arrived to pay homage to the Shah of Iran and kiss his threshold. Khosrow welcomed him warmly, declaring his court to be Mundhir's home as well. Overjoyed, Mundhir prostrated himself before the throne and, speaking with the wisdom of years, reported the aggressions of the Byzantine Caesar whose forces had crossed into the desert lands. Incensed by Caesar's insolence, Anushirvan dispatched a swift and eloquent envoy to Rome, warning Caesar that if he did not cease his overreaching ambitions, the steel of his swords would melt like wax before the might of Iran. Yet the arrogant Caesar spurned the warning with deceit and scorn, mocking Mundhir and boasting that he would transform the arid deserts into seas under his legionaries' march. When the messenger returned with Caesar's defiant answer, Khosrow was filled with wrath and vowed to teach the foolish ruler a lesson he would never forget—reminding his ministers that a fool realizes his madness only after thrusting his hands into the blazing fire.