For seventy long days, Bandoy remained bound like a caged cheetah under the guard of Bahram, the son of Siyavash. Yet his sharp mind never faltered. Using words forged in wisdom, he persuaded his jailer that the dark fortune of King Khosrow Parviz would turn bright once more, and that an unstoppable army from Rum would soon enter Iran to restore the true monarch. Bandoy bound Bahram with sacred oaths upon the Avesta and Adar Gushnasp, promising to secure royal clemency for him if he unchained Bandoy's legs. Moved by hope and Bandoy's radiant sincerity, Bahram removed the bonds and unveiled his own perilous secret: he had conspired with five allies to assassinate Bahram Chubin on the polo field with a poisoned blade.
When dawn tore through the dark cloak of night, Bahram Chubin made his way to the field for a game of polo and ball. Bahram son of Siyavash donned iron coat-of-mail beneath his silk robe and rode out. However, his unfaithful wife, who secretly harbored love for Bahram Chubin and deep malice toward her own husband, dispatched a covert warning to Chubin, revealing that her husband wore armor beneath his robes with evil intent. Forewarned, Chubin entered the field and rode up to each player, clapping them warmly on the back. When he reached the son of Siyavash and felt the rigid armor beneath the silk, Chubin roared in anger: 'O worse than a thorn bush! Who wears armor under silk to play polo?' He drew his sword of vengeance and cleaved the conspirator asunder.
News of the execution reached Bandoy, warning him that his own life hung in the balance. Donning his armor and trembling with haste, he mounted his steed and fled the city with a handful of loyal companions toward Ardabil. When Bahram Chubin returned from the field and commanded that Bandoy be brought forth, he was told that the captive had vanished like the wind. Chubin lamented the turn of events and the loss of his informant, uttering profound maxims on the foolishness of taking rash risks—sleeping on an elephant's tusk, braving the waves of the Nile, or defying a crowned ruler.
Meanwhile, Bandoy and his small troop rode relentlessly through desolate wastes until they spotted a grand pavilion in the wilderness. There resided Musil the Armenian, surrounded by fresh water and provisions. Bandoy approached alone and bowed before Musil, who welcomed him warmly and advised him to remain there to await fresh tidings of Khosrow Parviz's alliances in Rum. Bandoy summoned his companions from the plain and took refuge, awaiting the turn of destiny.