Parviz

When King Khosrow Parviz reached the border realm, a swift messenger arrived from the renowned Caesar of Rome. Caesar's greeting was laced with magnificent generosity: he pledged that whatever Khosrow desired within Roman lands was his to command, declaring he would forego rest, food, and sleep until he had equipped the Iranian monarch with an invincible host and supreme weaponry. Gladness suffused Khosrow’s heart upon hearing these words, freeing his soul from the dark clouds of anxiety.

Without delay, the brave sovereign summoned his most revered advisors and warriors—Gostahm, Baloy, the world-seeking Andiyan, Khorrad Barzin, and the lion-hearted Shapur. He commanded them to saddle their steeds with gold-worked trappings and don robes of fine Chinese silk embroidered with gold. He instructed them to enter Caesar's presence with wisdom, eloquent tongues, and absolute composure, warning them that if Caesar invited them to the field of polo or archery, they must champion the unmatched strength and martial spirit of Iran.

Turning to Khorrad Barzin, Khosrow commanded him to draft a letter upon Chinese silk imbued with dark musk—a masterpiece concise in phrasing yet boundless in depth, designed to astound the philosophers of the Roman court. He assigned Baloy to act as his true tongue in the Roman assembly, sealing their cause with solemn oaths and sweet persuasion.

The noble emissaries bestowed blessings upon Khosrow and rode toward the imperial city of Rome. Upon learning of the arrival of the Iranian magnates, Caesar dispatched an honorable guard of honor and prepared a grand hall draped in Roman brocades, inlaid with gold and precious gems. Seated upon an ivory throne with his glowing crown, Caesar ordered the curtains drawn. The envoys entered—headed by Gostahm, followed by Baloy, Shapur, Khorrad Barzin, and Andiyan—adorned in golden girdles and noble crowns. They bowed low before the Emperor and scattered gems upon his throne.

Caesar inquired after Khosrow's wellbeing and the hardships of their journey. He ordered four golden chairs to be brought forth. Three envoys sat, but Khorrad Barzin remained standing, holding the royal letter, declaring that he would not sit while presenting the decree of Iran's monarch. Deeply moved, Caesar bade him unfurl the letter and reveal its secrets.

Khorrad Barzin read the missive, which opened with profound praise for Yazdan, the Sovereign Creator of the heavens and stars, who called forth life from dust, breathing spirit first into Kyumars and conferring the Divine Grace upon Fereydun and Kay Qobad. The letter detailed how Iran's royal line had forever preserved the godly path, until an unworthy, treacherous servant—Bahram Chubin—usurped the Kayanid throne. Khosrow appealed to Caesar's honor to help him overthrow the usurper and restore lawful order.

As Caesar listened to these poignant, majestic words, his face paled like a fading rose and tears flowed from his eyes. The world seemed to turn to lapis lazuli before his gaze as grief filled his soul. Turning to Khorrad Barzin, the Emperor swore that he cherished Khosrow more than his own kin, vowing that treasury, arms, armies—and even his own eyes—would be placed entirely at the Iranian King's service.