As the radiant sun ascended the sky, the scouts of King Khosrow Parviz discovered that Bahram Chubin's encampment stood deserted; the rebellious general had slipped away under the cloak of night. Upon hearing this, the king's heart grew heavy with anger at his rival's escape. Khosrow selected three thousand armored cavalrymen and commanded Nastuh to lead them in swift pursuit of the fleeing rebel.
Meanwhile, Bahram Chubin traversed perilous, offbeat paths in deep anxiety, taking his vast stores of gold and silver with him. Renowned warriors such as Yalan Sineh and Izad Gashasp rode beside him, reciting the tales of ancient kings to console their weary hearts. Eventually, they reached a humble, ruined hamlet. Parched with thirst, Bahram approached the cottage of a solitary old woman and politely requested food and water. Possessing almost nothing, the woman produced an old sieve, laid a rag over it, and served them dried curd bread. Yalan Sineh performed the sacred Barsam ritual, and they gratefully partook of the meal.
After eating, they asked for wine. The old woman fetched a hollowed-out gourd cup filled with wine. Bahram took the humble vessel with joy, drank, and rewarded the old woman with a cup filled with gold. He then asked her: 'What news have you heard of the world and this conflict?' She replied: 'Travelers from the city report that Bahram Chubin's host has been shattered and he has fled alone.' Bahram asked: 'Tell me, wise mother, did Bahram act out of wisdom, or was he blinded by ambition?' The old woman, unaware of his identity, answered: 'Why did a demon obscure Bahram's vision? Does he not know that if Bahram son of Gashasp raises his lance against the prince, the son of Hormoz, every wise person laughs at his madness?' Bahram accepted her bitter reproof with a silent smile.
At dawn, Bahram rallied his men and reached a dense reed-bed where reed-cutters warned him that a vast royal army lay ahead. Recognizing that this pursuer was none other than Nastuh, Bahram and his warriors set the entire reed-bed ablaze, surprising the royal force. Bahram captured Nastuh with his lasso, but magnanimously spared his life, commanding him to return to Khosrow and recount what he had witnessed. Thereafter, Bahram Chubin turned his steps toward the court of the Khagan.