The Duel of Rahham

Fifth came Rahham the son of Gudarz, who put his skill to the test against Barman. They took up their bows and poplar arrows, and the shouts of the warring riders rose. Their bows all shattered clean against each other, so they turned their hands to the spear, swift as the wind. Two fighters, both brave and skilled in the saddle, alert, and long tried in battle. They circled each other many times, then Rahham, hungry for the fight, wheeled about. He drove a spear into his enemy's thigh, and at that stroke the man came tumbling from his horse. The Turk was thrown from his steed just then; that mighty Turk fell down from his horse. Rahham struck him again with a spear in the back, and the point drove clean into his liver. He dismounted and gave thanks, praising God for the good fortune of the king of the land. In vengeance for Siyavash he threw him down face first, and in his fury smeared his face in blood. He hauled him onto the saddle and bound him like a stone, head hanging down, feet under the girth. He mounted his own saddle and, dragging the dead man's horse, came running back to the appointed place. He climbed the hill with a joyful heart, freed at last from pain and sorrow. In triumph for the king and the lofty throne, his wish fulfilled beneath a soaring fortune. The commander of the army sang out his praise for King Kay Khosrow, his crown, and his throne. 'May the victorious king be ever victorious, and may all his days be a New Year's feast.'