Section 19

That night the king was lost in thoughts about the Worm, as the sun settled into its resting place. Ardeshir gathered his army from the water's edge and marched, roaring, toward Fars. Then the enemy's forces came on, blocking the king's road from every side. They killed every man of rank and rode hard in pursuit of the king. A shout rose behind him: 'Long live the Worm's fortune, may the Worm's throne shine on!' Everyone said, 'What a wonder this is; let each man take a lesson from it.' He came fleeing, his heart full of terror, racing over hill and valley. He saw a large walled town somewhere, and the riders drove toward it like wolves. When he drew near he saw a house, and at its door two young strangers standing. They lingered a while at the door, and these two clear-minded youths asked him: 'Where have you come from at this late hour, covered in road dust and so distraught?' He said, 'Ardeshir passed by here, and to no purpose we were left behind by him. He fled from the Worm and from Haftvad and from that low born, worthless army.' The two young men sprang up, filled with grief, their spirits darkened. They helped him down from the saddle and called down blessings on these great ones. They prepared a pleasant place and set out a fine meal. The riders sat at the table with the king, and both young men rose to serve them. They said aloud, 'O proud one, neither sorrow nor joy lasts long. Consider what the unjust Zahhak brought upon himself from that royal throne. And Afrasiab too, that man of evil designs, from whom the hearts of kings were torn with pain. Alexander, who came into this age, killed whoever was king in the world. They passed away, and nothing but an ugly name remained of them; they will find no green paradise. The same will not last for Haftvad either; in the end this low born wretch will writhe.' At their words the king's heart grew as fresh as a rose in springtime. The comforting speech pleased him, so he spoke openly and revealed his secret: 'I am Ardeshir, son of Sasan; I need some counsel that my heart can accept. What shall we do against the Worm and Haftvad, whose name and lineage should vanish from the earth?' When the commander of Iran revealed his secret, both young men bowed low before him. They both said, 'May you be joyful, and may the hand of evil always stay far from you. May our bodies and souls be your servants; may your spirit endure forever. The things you asked us, we will tell you truly, so you may first devise a plan. In war against the Worm and Haftvad you are not enough, unless you turn from mere justice.' 'They hold a place on a mountain peak, and there are the Worm, the treasure, and the horde. In front lies the city and behind it the sea; a fortress on the mountaintop and a rough road. This Worm, born of the mind of Ahriman, is an enemy of the world's Creator. You call it a worm within its skin, but it is a warring, blood shedding demon.' When Ardeshir heard their words, all full of seeking affection and pleasing to the heart, he told them, 'Yes, this is right; their good and evil, I will share with you.' The young men shaped their answer and set his wise heart at ease: 'We are servants standing before you, and always your guides toward good.' At their words his heart grew glad, and he went on, victorious, his heart full of justice. When the world ruling king set out from there, the young men went along the road with him. Bright of heart and keeping their counsel, the proud king went on to Khoreh Ardeshir. When the army assembled around the king, the great, the wise, and the counselors, he rested a while, and one day, seeking justice, he moved against Mehrak Nushzad. When Mehrak made ready to go to war, the world turned dark and narrow around him. When the king drew near Jahrom, the faithless Mehrak went into hiding. The king's heart was set on battle; he waited until Mehrak was captured. With an Indian sword he struck off his neck and cast his headless body into the fire. Everyone of that lineage who fell into his grasp he killed at once with the dagger. Only a daughter who had hidden from him escaped, and the whole city was filled with searching for her.