Part 8: The Pursuit of Ardeshir

It was so that without his moon faced love, Ardavan found no peace by night or day. He would not lift his shoulders from the silken bed unless he had first glimpsed Golnar's face for luck. When the time came for him to rise, and to adorn his royal seat with silk, the servant girl did not come to his bedside; he grew furious and writhed with resentment at her. At the gate his army stood ready on their feet, the throne and crown and palace all made splendid. The chief usher rose from the court and came before the famed king. He told him: the great ones are at the gate, everyone who leads a province of the land. The king said to his attendants: how is it that Golnar, so mindful of custom and rule, does not keep her habit and come to my bedside? Who can grasp the meaning behind this tale? Just then the chief scribe arrived: Ardeshir left late last night. He took from the stable the white and the black, the mounts that were the famous king's own steeds. At once it became clear and bitter to the king that his treasurer, Golnar, had fled with Ardeshir. The warrior's heart leapt from its place; he flared up in rage and sprang to his feet. He led out many battle riders, as if his horse were treading over fire. Along the road he saw a well known place, full of people and pack animals. He asked them: at dawn today did you hear the sound of horses' hooves? One of them said: yes, two riders passed by, coming onto the plain on two mounts. They swept past along the road at a run, one on a white steed, the other on a black. Behind the riders ran a pure wild ram, scattering dust like a galloping horse. Ardavan said to his vizier just then: why is this ram running along after them? He answered thus: that is his royal glory; kingship and good fortune ride upon its wing. If this ram catches up to him, do not give chase, for then this business will drag out long for us. Ardavan dismounted there in that place, ate, rested, then came on at a run. They galloped on behind Ardeshir, Ardavan and the vizier leading the way. The young man with the servant girl raced like a gusting wind, never pausing from the chase for a moment. Whoever has the high heavens as an ally suffers no harm from any enemy. Ardeshir grew weary from that riding; from a height he spotted a pool of water. The noble youth said to Golnar as he ran: now that we have been paired with hardship, we must go down to this spring, for horse and rider are worn thread bare. Let us stay by the water and eat something, then move on at ease afterward. When they both reached the water's edge, their two cheeks pale as the setting sun, just as Ardeshir wished to dismount, he saw two young men at the pool. The young men called out at once: touch your reins and stirrups and be gone, for you have escaped the dragon's jaws and breath; now stopping to drink is not worth the price. You must not come down to eat and drink; you must give your own body its farewell blessing. When Ardeshir heard this from the counselor, he told Golnar: remember these words. He pressed hard on his stirrups, loosened the reins, and raised his gleaming lance to his shoulder. Behind, like a gusting wind, came Ardavan, riding on in hardship and dark of soul. By the time half the day had passed, and the world lighting sun had crossed the sky, he saw a fine town, full of color and scent; many people came out to meet him. He said to the honored priests: when did that bold rider pass through here? The guide answered him: O king of good fortune and pure judgment, just as the sun turned yellow and set, and night spread its dark blue cloak, two people passed through this town at a run, mouths dry and covered in dust. A wild ram ran behind one of the riders, so fine that I have never seen its like painted on any palace wall. The town's headman said to Ardavan: perhaps you should turn back home from here. Gather an army and prepare for war, for now the judgment has turned another way. His fortune has mounted up behind him; from this chase only wind remains in your hand. Write a letter to your son; set out this whole affair in it, point by point. Perhaps he can find some trace of Ardeshir; he must not stray far like a lion following the ram. When Ardavan heard these words from him, he knew that his own voice had grown old and weak. He came down and rested in that town, giving thanks and praise to the generous Giver.