Between Dastan, the warlord of Zabulistan, and the cypress-statured maiden of Kabul, a sweet-tongued woman served as a trusted messenger, bearing love tokens and secret tidings. Zal summoned her to his presence and shared the glorious news: after much debate, his father Sam had consented to their match and promised to seek King Manuchehr's approval. Zal instructed her to hasten to Rudabeh with words of comfort: 'When straits become tightest, the key to deliverance is at hand.'
The messenger flew like the wind to Rudabeh, delivering the joyous news. Overjoyed, the fairy-faced princess showered coins upon her, seated her upon a golden chair, and presented her with a magnificent gem-studded turban woven with rubies and gold, alongside a pair of rings radiant as the planet Jupiter, to carry back to Zal as tokens of her devotion.
However, as the woman stepped into the palace courtyard, Queen Sindokht spotted her sneaking away nervously. Suspicion flared in Sindokht's heart. Pale with terror, the woman claimed to be a peddler selling gems to the princess, but Sindokht, sensing deceit, searched her garments and unveiled the royal treasure and correspondence. Enraged, Sindokht dragged the woman to the ground, bound her, and locked the palace doors.
Distressed beyond measure, Sindokht wept and struck her own cheeks in despair before summoning Rudabeh. She confronted her daughter bitterly: 'O proud moon, why have you traded a royal throne for a pit of ruin? What love have I withheld from you? Who is the owner of these noble gems, and why do you risk bringing total destruction upon our house?' Rudabeh stood with downcast eyes, her tears flowing like rain, until she bravely confessed her soul's true allegiance: 'Mother, love for Dastan has set my heart ablaze. We have pledged our troth, Sam has granted his assent, and this woman was merely bringing his response.'
Sindokht was struck with awe by the nobility of Zal, yet terrified of King Manuchehr's impending wrath—for she knew the Iranian monarch would never easily tolerate an alliance between the seed of Zahhak and the champion line of Sam. Releasing the messenger with soft words, Sindokht collapsed onto her couch in deep grief and heavy foreboding, helpless against the unyielding power of her daughter's destiny.