Part 18: The Bloody Battle of Iran and Turan

A roar rose from both armies, and the earth boiled beneath the horses' hooves. Troops poured in from every side, until armor covered the whole plain and mountains. The two commanders, each like a leopard, led their forces into the fight. Like rain from a black cloud, arrows poured down on that battlefield. The world turned dark as night beneath the murky fog, like a cloud whose rain was arrows and blades. The horses' hooves turned the ground to iron, and the heroes' hands were stained red with blood. So many Turks lay wounded on that field, their severed heads scattered across the road. No room was left on the field to turn, no path was left for a horse to pass through. The ground turned tulip red, the air turned indigo, and a sea of blood swelled up in waves. The two commanders said: if we keep our heroes fighting on this field of hatred like this, no one will be left alive by dark of night, save the turning heavens and the God of the world. When Piran saw the state of the battle, he gave orders to Lahhak and Farshidvard: Of all the army under your command, pick out whoever is fit for this battlefield. Divide the leaders into three groups to press the fight for vengeance on this field. Of them, choose the ones most alert, best able to guard the army from the enemy. Hand the rear of the army over to them, while you two take the roads on both flanks. He ordered Lahhak to lead his whole force toward the mountain, and likewise Farshidvard toward the river, to raise dust up to the sun. When those famed men of the Turanian army broke off from that vengeful host, a swift rider was sent to the lookout, from that watchtower to the champion himself. The watchman, Gudarz, with his army was keeping guard on every side against the enemy. From two flanks Lahhak and Farshidvard sprang from ambush and stirred up the dust. The riders of Iran clashed with them, mixing the dust with blood. Swift messengers rushed off in every direction to alert the champion. Gudarz looked to see who guarded his rear among his battle-hungry heroes. His dear son, Hajir, a raging lion, stood at his father's back with sword and arrow. He ordered him to go to the rear of the army, to Giv son of Gudarz, the shelter of the host, and tell him to send troops, group after group, to reinforce the river and the mountain. And he ordered another word for Giv: that he should pick a brave man for the army's rear, choose him and hand over his own post to him, then advance forward from that place. Wise Hojir, ready and girded for war, heard the words of his noble father. He ran to his brother and repeated everything the commander had said. When Giv heard these words he flared up with anger, and chose a famous warrior from the army. His name was Farhad the brave; Giv summoned him and handed the whole force over to him. Two hundred battle-tested, daring chiefs; then he ordered Zangeh of Shavaran to make a charge toward Farshidvard, and raise dust from the river and the water itself. He gave two hundred horsemen, with a banner swift as the wind, to blessed Gorgin, son of Milad. He told him: turn your reins from here, with your mace and your tempered spear-point. Now we must ride to that battlefield and turn the world dark against them. For the backbone of their army has been broken, and the hearts of their champions are low with pain. To Bizhan he said this: brave lion of a man, you are the tearing lion on the day of war. Now your lion-heart will be needed, when you must wage battle with the enemy. Ride from here to the center of the army, to Piran, that vengeful one, in his place. Do not shy from them; press your body forward, for the hour of vengeance has come in battle. For all of Turan's city leans on him; when it sees your face, its skin will split with dread. If you can lay hands on him, the deed is done; the Lord of the world and good fortune will stand with you. The army will rest from hardship and toil, and the world-ruler and the king will rejoice. The back of Afrasiab will be broken; his heart will fill with blood and his two eyes with tears. The commander said this to his son, and the son girded himself tightly for the fight. He ordered all the horsemen on the left flank to be summoned, every one of them. Garazeh came out, and Gostaham, and Hojir the general and Bizhan together. From there toward the heart of the Turanian army these noble men set out on their way. Like wolves on a day of hunting, mounted on those swift-footed, gelded steeds, they charged into the midst of the army and emptied their hearts of vengeance. The whole plain of armored riders was scattered across the field of war. So many lay fallen under the hooves of horses, their shrouds their coats of mail, their chests like a wild lion's. When Ruyin, son of Piran, saw from the rear of the army that turmoil and that black dust, he came to the rear of the great host with his famous men, like a wolf. He clashed like a raging leopard; he struggled, yet could not prevail in the fight. He let the Indian sword fall from his fist, and in despair he turned his back on the battle. The commander Piran and his own warriors stepped forward into the heart of the battle. When Giv caught sight of Piran at that moment, he turned his reins toward him, ready to fight. Four of the noble lords who rode before Piran he easily hurled from their horses with his spear. Piran, son of Visa, strung his bow and rained arrows down on his malicious foe. The mighty Giv raised his shield above his head and charged in with his spear like a wolf. When he set his aim on the commander Piran, meaning to seek single combat with him, his horse froze suddenly in place; it would not put one foot forward from where it stood. The famed hero, in his anger, brought a whip down hard upon that once swift-footed steed. He boiled over and let loose his tongue, cursing the cruel, wretched creature. He threw down his spear and took up his bow, lifting a rhino-hide shield over his head. He strung the bow and drew it wide, meaning to pin Piran's hand fast to his shield. He struck four willow-shafted arrows at his head, but the arrows did no more than strike solid rock. Likewise Giv shot three shafts at the rider's horse, iron heads that could pierce through anything. Neither the horse was wounded nor the brave Piran, and at that point Giv's comrades reached the spot. When Piran saw this, he turned back at once, and Giv rushed after him, racing like smoke. Then Giv's son came up to him and said: 'O renowned and blessed father, I have heard this from the king himself, that Piran will fight in many battles yet. From the claws of many sharp-clawed dragons he will escape on his day of hardship. In the end his life will be taken by Gudarz's hand; so, father, do not wear yourself out over this.' Then Giv's comrades came up behind, brave riders full of wrath and vengeance. When Piran saw this, he swiftly turned and set his face toward his own army. Crying out, full of pain, his face gone pale, he went to Lahhak and Farshidvard. He came and said: 'O my renowned ones, my brave men, my wielders of the dagger, it was for a day like this that I raised you, holding you close and rearing you. Now that the army has entered the fight, the enemy has turned the world dark upon us. I see no one who, for the sake of honor and pride, will step to the front of the army to fight.' When Piran's words reached them, the hearts of those famed men flared with vengeance. They set out and said: 'If our pure souls leave our bodies, we have no fear or dread. We will bind our skirts to one another; there is no undoing our belts from this feud.' Lahhak and Farshidvard went toward Giv and sought out combat with him. The brave Lahhak charged at Giv and drove a spear into his waist. He tried to lift him off the saddle, to fling him headlong to the ground. The spear tore through the armor with its force, yet Giv's foot never slipped from the stirrup. Then Giv thrust his spear at Lahhak's horse, and the swift steed collapsed onto its face in pain. Lahhak was left standing, thrown from his mount, and Farshidvard came riding up from afar. He swung a sword like the wind at Giv's spear, cut it clean through, and turned away pleased. When Giv saw the wound that blow had left, he drew a heavy mace from his side. He struck like a sharp-breathing dragon, so hard that the dagger flew from Farshidvard's hand. Quickly he landed another blow on his neck, so fierce that fire seemed to rain upon his body. Blood surged up from his liver to his mouth; his body went limp and his head reeled with faintness. While Giv was busy with this, Lahhak swiftly mounted a wind-footed horse, fast as smoke. With mace and spear, like two lions, both warriors charged at Giv. How much those bold chieftains' hands rained heavy maces down upon him! But the rider sat firm in his poplar-wood saddle; no weariness of battle overcame him. When Lahhak and Farshidvard saw such steadfastness in that lion of a man, in sheer fury they said to each other, 'What has fate done to us?' 'On this saddle sits a mountain of iron; nothing but a lion could tear his skin.' Then Giv called for a spear from his comrades and wheeled about on every side, left and right. He struck terror into them from both flanks, yet neither of the two bent his head low. He said to himself, 'A strange trial has come upon me from these battle-hungry warriors.' 'These are not chieftains from the land of the Turks; these are demons out of Mazandaran.' Toward the right, Garaza came like dust to grapple with Farshidvard. In his grip a silver-shafted column of steel, and beneath him a steed like a camel of war. When Garaza let his hand fly like the wind, that steel-riveted helmet rose to the saddle's height. He drove a spear against Farshidvard's belt, but the armor held and its links did not break. Bizhan, a sword in his fist, brave as a lion, came in behind Garaza. He struck at Farshidvard's head and helmet; the Turk was hurled to the ground from the fight. He reached out his hand for his horse and climbed on, but what he hoped for was not to be. Then Bizhan and the charging Gostaham, together with the famed heroes of Iran, closed in upon the army of Turan, their hearts wounded and thirsting for revenge. From Turan, Andariman came like a cloud of dust, rushing forward to the field of battle. He brought his mace down hard on Gostaham, meaning to split his waist in two. Gostaham met it with his blade and cut it clean in half, yet his heart was flooded with fear. Hojir came up behind the champions and rained arrows down on Andariman. His shaft tore through the horse's armor, and in that moment the mount fell lifeless. The rider dismounted from his steed, raised his shield overhead and readied himself for the fight. A great cry went up from all the Turks, and their horsemen charged in like demons. With cunning they pulled him from the battleground, dragging him back before the army's front. The commander Piran came from the general's post and set the center of his army in order. From dawn until night rose over the mountains, the horsemen of Iran and Turan clashed in their ranks. They stirred up the dust of vengeance, and mixed the earth with blood. The horses and men had all lost their senses, their mouths dry, their bodies drained of strength and vigor. When the face of the earth turned the color of ebony, the horns and war drums sounded from both armies. The drummers upon the backs of the elephants signaled the retreat from that battlefield at last. Both armies agreed on this: that at night they would withdraw from the field. At dawn they would pick out their bravest men, those who could raise dust from the depths of the sea. All the renowned, battle-hungry warriors would face one another, one on one. That way the army would be spared, and no innocent blood would be spilled. They made a pact and turned back, cutting short the long and bitter fight. Both commanders, aching with hatred, turned their faces away from the battle. One rode off toward Mount Kanabad, the other hurried swiftly toward Zibad. At once Gudarz, the king's commander, sent scouts out ahead of the army. Every armored man who was worn out, his hands and blade stained with blood, loosened the knots of all their gear: breastplate and helmet, casque and coat of mail. Once relieved of the weight of the iron, they sought food, and cups of wine were poured. To make their plans, they went to the champion, old and young alike, still alert. Then Giv said to Gudarz, 'Father, what an astonishing thing befell me.' 'When I charged into the army of Turan, I tore through their ranks and they opened a path.' 'I reached Piran, but my swift horse gave out; it faltered and would not step forward.' 'I was so desperate at my own plight that I thought I would never be my own ally again.' So Bijan kept the king's words in his memory, and at that moment he reminded me of them. That Piran would be destroyed by your hand: this the king had foretold from the stars. Gudarz said to him: 'My son, his fate rests in my hand without doubt. For the blood of my seventy chosen sons I will take vengeance on him, by the strength of the world's Creator.' After that he looked out over the army and saw every one of his chiefs worn down and weary, from the toil of battle and the spilling of blood, and grappling with the enemy at every turn. The commander's heart filled with grief when he saw the faces of his noble warriors gone pale. The fortunate commander and guide ordered them to withdraw to their camp, so that their weary bodies might rest from war and fighting. They went, and at dawn they returned, full of vengeance and ready for battle. They called out praise upon their leader: 'You, renowned champion of the earth, how was your sleep tonight, and how did you rise? What have you planned for the fight against the Turks?' Then the champion said to them: 'You, good men and blessed heroes, it is fitting that you praise the Creator of the world by day and by night, for until now, everything that has happened in this war has turned out as our hearts desired. I have met with many wonders; I have seen the world as nothing but a passing road. Whatever came to a king, whether justice or injustice, the same road leads there for good and for evil alike. The turning wheel of heaven planted many like us; where has it ever reaped a harvest to its own liking? First, when the unjust Zahhak lifted his head to kingship over the world, how long did he hold the world in hardship, and the world's Creator let all of it pass? By justice, which exposed his tyranny, that kingdom was swept away like wind in a breath. When the Just One would no longer endure his injustice, He set a just man over him. His reign went on for several years, then God cast down ruin upon that evil-minded one. Fereydun, the blessed and just king, girded himself for that kingship. He broke open every demonic chain and adorned the whole world with justice. Just as Zahhak, of evil nature and evil temper, whom kings held up in reproach, the same evil ways came from Afrasiab: the plundering, the killing, the slander. For he spread hatred through the land of Iran and turned away from the path of justice, custom, and faith. In the end he killed Siyavash and brought devastation upon Iran. And after that, when Giv rode out from Iran, how much hardship he endured there in Turan.' His bed was the bare earth, his pillow a stone; his food the meat of wild game, his clothing a leopard's skin. Lost and dazed like one out of his senses, he wandered, hoping to find some trace of Kaykhosrow there. One by one, as he drew near to Khosrow, whoever saw him offered him blessings. After that they turned their faces toward Iran; the news reached the war-hungry Piran. Swiftly he set out on the road with his army, meaning to destroy them both along the way. He did all the harm that lay within his power, but their sole protector was the Lord of the world. After that, to avenge Siyavash, the army took the road toward Kasa-rud. When the mighty host reached Lavan, there was Piran's night raid and the battle of Pashan. So many of my sons have been killed before me that the hearts of all the great men have turned to grief. Now with such a vengeful army he has come, meeting us face to face. Since he will not be a match for us alone, he means to fight with tricks and stratagems. He is scheming to bring a fresh army from Turan onto this battlefield. Now he is calling their chiefs to battle; one by one we must be quick and fierce of grip. For if we grow slack in this task, or if instead we do not strike first, he will find an excuse and turn back from the fight, dodging revenge, honor, and shame. If you stand together with me as one, though they are many and we are few, we will raise the dust of those renowned men at the very moment he prepares for war. But if Piran does not shift from this plan of his and sets his foot forward to fight, I accept the pledge among you, each and all, that I will be the first to gird my belt for this vengeance. With an old man's head I come to this battlefield; I will give my body up to be killed before the army. I and brave Piran, and Ruyin, and Giv, one by one we will play the part of warrior men, for no one stays forever in the world; nothing of us remains on earth but a tale. Let it be our name, then, that endures on high, when death casts its lasso toward us. In time's eyes death and being slain are one; the turning heavens keep little faith with anyone. You too must be like this, with spear and blade, men who cut others down, gird your belts for vengeance, every one of you who counts among the famous. For fortune has begun its decline against them; now we must strike hard in revenge. In Turan there was no horseman like Human, who tested himself in battle against Bizhan, son of Giv. When his luck turned and toppled, his head was cut from his body like a camel's. We must not tremble before them in battle; we cannot withdraw our hand from the fight. And if Piran comes wanting war, bringing his grief stricken army like dust on the wind, then we too, massed together like a mountain, must advance against him as one. For all these brave men, their hearts wounded, are worn down by constant sorrow and grief. I believe that if we are given the chance, we will raise a black cloud of dust over them. The commander said all this in full before the wise and fortunate warriors. When their leader showed such kindness, they all sprang quickly to their feet. One and all they praised him: there is no one like you for justice and faith. Even Fereydun, who ruled the whole world, never had a servant as loyal as you. You are the pillar of the army and the king's commander, the one who raises up crown and throne and diadem. You have given up life and children and wealth; what more could the king of kings ask? All that the king sought from Fariborz and from Tus, he will now see fulfilled through you. Every one of us is your servant, our heads bowed to your command and counsel. So if Piran leads the chiefs of Turan against us, thirsting for vengeance, let ten of our warriors face a thousand of theirs, and watch who turns his head from the fight. And if the whole army comes into battle massed like a mountain, our hearts are all wounded by this feud; we have girded our belts for war. May our bodies and souls be sacrificed for you: this, entirely, is our vow. When Gudarz heard this answer, joy grew in his heart. He praised those famous men, saying: O lions of the land of Iran, he ordered the army to mount, and once more girded himself for the feud. The left wing of his army he entrusted to brave Rahham and to Farhad, radiant as the sun. The right was Fariborz's place; he gave it at once to Katmareh of the line of Qaren. He said to Shidush: O my son, my worthy deputy in every task, take the Kaviani banner and the troops; go and be the support and shelter behind the army. Then he ordered Gostaham: Go, and be the vanguard of the army now. You must hold the commander's post, and watch, alert, over the army's rear. He commanded the troops: See that you do not move a single step forward from your place. Praise Gostaham, one and all; night and day stay ready in the saddle. A cry rose up from the midst of the army; they broke into weeping on that battlefield. They all rushed toward him, throwing dust upon their heads in grief. So the old commander of the army buckled his belt and rode toward the field of battle. Then the general summoned Gostaham and gave him much advice and counsel. He said: Take care, stay alert, and guard the army against the enemy. Night and day keep your armor on, seeking revenge; be sure you never leave yourselves exposed. When you begin to prepare for war, sleep will try to steal over you. And just as you drop your head to rest, terror from the sleepless enemy may strike you. Post a lookout on the mountaintop, and keep the army free of worry over the enemy. And if from the land of Turan a sudden night raid or ambush should come, then you must fight like a true man and turn your resolve against their champions in battle. And if from us here at this battlefield bad news reaches the army of Turan, that they have overpowered us on the field and dragged our headless bodies off to Turan, then be careful not to lead the army into battle; you must wait here for three days. On the fourth day the renowned king himself will come to reinforce the army, with his elephants and his throne. When Gostaham heard Gudarz speak this way, tears dripped from his lashes down his cheeks. He accepted every word of his advice and sought to bind himself to that duty. He told the general: Whatever you command, I stand ready to serve, my belt tightened like a servant's. After the earlier battle that ended in defeat, in which Turan was crushed by that grief, fathers wailed over sons, faces pale; brothers were in agony over a brother's blood. All of them, one and all, mourning and broken, made grim by the turning of the lofty sky. When Piran saw the whole army like this, like a flock savaged by a ravening wolf, he called all the chiefs of the army together and spoke to them at length. He said: You experienced warriors, both old and young, all seasoned in battle, how much greatness, rank, and honor you hold in the eyes of Afrasiab. Through victory and glory, as you wished, your names have spread across the world. Yet at one battle that brought you defeat, you all withdrew your hands from the fight. Know this, every one of you: if the army retreats from this battlefield in weakness, the brave chiefs of Iran will come after us, swinging their heavy maces, and no one, high or low, will see even one of us left alive in the world. You must drive the terror from your hearts and choose patience for these grieving men. The king of priests once told this tale: God's victory endures forever. The world is nothing but rise and fall, ups and downs; it stays this way until we pass in fear of death. Now who cares for his homeland and his children, who worries about his own life and family ties? This is the same army that turned away from our battle and gave up its assault on us. On this battlefield we must gird our loins and march in vengeance against the Iranians. Gudarz made this pledge: 'I will choose the champions from this gathering.' 'We will face them one by one, so both armies can rest from all this talk.' 'If you keep the pact and bring their leaders down from the army,' 'and if the whole force joins the fight, we must not pull our hands from battle.' 'If we all bend our heads toward the sword, we were born on a day and we die on a day.' 'And if not, I will hang their leaders high; fortune turns two ways.' 'If anyone disobeys my word, I will order his head cut from his body.' The warriors rushed to answer: 'O commander who rebuffs Afrasiyab,' 'for so long now, with your own treasure, you have chosen hardship for our sake.' 'Girded for battle before us like a servant, you would give up son and brother to be killed.' 'Why would we disobey? Who are we ourselves? Why should we be the king's servants if not for this?' They spoke, then rose from where they sat and prepared themselves fully for the fight. All night they laid these plans, for the wakeful commander had cast the die. At dawn the sound of trumpet and flute rose from the tents of both camps. At first light all the famous warriors mounted their saddles, bows on their arms, so that from the horses' hooves you would say the earth was draped in a veil of iron. The commander spoke to Lahhak and Farshidvard: 'O renowned and manly warriors,' 'you must stay as guardians of the army of Turan on this battlefield.' 'Set a lookout on the mountaintop, a watchman by day and a counter of the stars by night.' 'If ill comes to us from the turning heavens and it strips its pure love from us,' 'do not rush anyone into the fight; hurry off to Turan swift as smoke,' 'for of this house of Vaisa no one is left; all were killed, and none remain but you.' They took each other in their arms and wept bitterly, hearts full of pain. They set out and turned their faces away, breaking into cries and lament.