Bahram's Victory at Merv

On the other side, Bahram stayed alert, guarding his troops against the enemy. Day and night he kept scouts posted, and hid his army from the foe. When word reached King Bahram that the Khaqan was at Merv with a great army, he led his forces out from Azar Goshasp, all without baggage, each man with two horses. In quilted armor, mail, and Roman helmets, they raced along the road like the wind, night and day. The army swept on like a flood from a mountain; it passed through Amol by the gate of Ardabil. From Amol they pushed on to Gorgan, and the great men endured pain and hardship. From Gorgan they came to the city of Nasa, with a skilled and resourceful guide leading the way. They crossed mountains and deserts off the road, traveling by day and night, in time and out of time. By day he kept lookouts, and in the dark nights he set guards. In this way he reached near Merv, faster than a soaring pheasant could fly. A swift messenger came from the scouts: the Khaqan, carefree night and day, was planning a hunt at Kashmihan, for his counselor was an old and wily devil. When Bahram heard this he rejoiced, and all his hardships blew away from his heart. He rested for a day on that ground of battle, until the king and army were more refreshed. He came to Kashmihan at daybreak, just as the world-lighting sun rose over the mountain. Every ear was filled with the wail of horns, every eye with the color of banners. War cries rose from the hunting ground; the ears of king and army rang with the sound. The roar could split the ears of a lion; you would think hail was pouring from the clouds. When the Khaqan woke from his hunting, he was seized by the hand of Khazrvan. The battlefield's dust turned so red with blood that you would think arrows were raining from the moon. They captured three hundred famous warriors of China and bound them to their saddles. When the Khaqan of China was taken prisoner, only then did he wake from his sleep. The commander came from Kashmihan to Merv, and from the hard riding the horses were spent. In Merv not one of the Chinese was left; they were slain, and few of the warriors remained. Whoever among them fled in escape, Bahram raced hotly in pursuit. In this way he rode on for thirty leagues, with Qaren the Persian close behind him. When he turned back and came to the hunting ground, he shared out the captured spoils among his troops. When he raised his head high from his victory over China, he recognized all his success as coming from God, the One who holds power over good and ill, the Keeper of the sun and the moon.