Part 17: The Night Ambush

When half the shining day had passed away, the hearts of both warriors burned with hatred. They plotted together, the two of them, and settled on a reckless, useless scheme. When night falls, they said, we will strike by surprise and flood the plains and the open fields with blood. When the scouts learned of this plan, they rushed at a run to Manuchehr. They came before King Manuchehr and urged him to raise his army. Manuchehr listened and gave his full attention; that shrewd man turned his mind to a plan. He handed the whole army over to Qaran, and the brave commander chose a place for ambush. He took thirty thousand of his famed leaders, bold heroes skilled with the dagger. He found a fitting spot for the ambush, suited to warriors ready for battle. When the dark night came, Tur with a hundred thousand men arrived, girded for war. The surprise attack was planned and prepared, arrows fitted, bows drawn tight. But when he came, he saw the army in place, its blazing banner standing before him. He saw no choice but battle and combat, and raised a war cry from the midst of his troops. The dust of the horsemen turned the air to fog, and steel blades flashed like lightning. You would have said the sky itself was ablaze, as the swords, bright as diamond, scorched the earth. The clang of steel rang into the brain, and fire and wind rose up into the clouds. The king raised his head from the ambush, and Tur found no escape from either side. He turned his reins and swung about to flee, and a great uproar rose from the army. King Manuchehr came charging in pursuit and caught up with that famous, vengeful foe. He hurled a spear into his back, and the dagger tumbled from his fist. He lifted him from the saddle swift as the wind and dashed him to the ground, proving his valor. Then and there he cut the head from his body and made a feast of his corpse for beasts and birds. He returned to his own camp, to the sight of that proud, exalted army.