Word reached King Manuchehr of the secret passion binding Zal, the white-haired champion, to Rudabeh, the radiant daughter of Mehrab of Kabul. Grief and grave anxiety seized the monarch's heart. Manuchehr remembered how, through bitter war and divine wisdom, he and Fereydun before him had cleansed the realm of Zahhak's dragonish blight and restored peace to Iran. He feared that a union between Sam's heroic son and the bloodline of the Serpent King would cause Zahhak's malice to sprout anew, unleashing a champion who might turn his sword against the Iranian crown and plunge the world back into chaos. Gathering his Mobads and wise sages, the King sought their counsel; the sages praised the monarch's foresight, urging him to act with supreme wisdom.
Without delay, King Manuchehr summoned his son, Prince Nowzar, and dispatched him alongside elite chieftains and war-elephants to meet Sam, who was returning victorious from his campaign in the northern marches. Upon learning of the prince's approach, Sam rode out joyfully to receive him. They raised golden goblets, toasting first to King Manuchehr, and celebrated through the night in radiant camaraderie.
At dawn, to the thunder of drums and brass trumpets, the grand procession made its way toward the royal seat. From Sari to Amol, the earth boiled like a emerald sea, covered mountain to mountain by interlocked red and yellow shields and javelin-throwers. As Sam approached the imperial threshold, he dismounted in reverence and kissed the earth. Manuchehr arose from his ivory throne—adorned with shining rubies—and embraced the world-champion, seating Sam beside him upon the royal dais.
The King inquired of the fierce conflicts fought against the wolf-headed legions of Gurgsaran and the demons of Mazandaran. Sam bowed and recounted his exploits: 'May you live eternally, O King! I marched into the realm of savage beasts—creatures swifter than Arab chargers and fiercer than wild leopards. Though they swarmed like ants and locusts from dark caverns, I raised my single-blow mace and uttered a roar that turned the earth beneath them like a millstone. Then came Kakoy, their towering champion, wielding a heavy mace and long lasso. I loosed my steel-tipped arrows upon him, then reached forth with iron strength, dragged him from his saddle like a lion, and smashed him to the earth. With their lord struck down, twelve thousand of their war-band fell, and the remainder fled in terror.'
Hearing of this monumental triumph, King Manuchehr raised his crown to the heavens, celebrating the victory long into the night. Yet when dawn broke, the King’s tone turned stern. He laid a grave mandate upon Sam: 'Gather your chosen warriors and ride toward India and Kabul. Set fire to the palaces of Mehrab, put his kin to the sword, and burn out every remnant of Zahhak's lineage, lest that dragon's seed rise once more to bring ruin upon Iran.' Sam bowed low, pressed his face to the royal threshold, and set off at the head of his host to execute the King's absolute command.