Rostam Slays the Div and Plans for the White Demon

A royal helmet on his head, and over his chest the sweat-stained tiger-skin coat of war. He turned toward the commander Arzhang, and when he reached the enemy host, that seeker of glory, he let out a roar in the midst of the crowd; you would have thought the sea and the mountain had split apart. Arzhang the demon came out of his tent when that terrible cry reached his ears. The moment Rostam saw him, he spurred his horse and rushed at him like a bolt of fire. He seized his head and ears and his brave mane, and tore the head from the body as a lion would. The demon's severed head, dripping with blood, he flung toward where the gathered troops stood. When the demons saw his mace, their hearts were torn to pieces by the terror of his grip. They no longer thought of home or land or safety; father trampled son to find a way to flee. The mighty-bodied hero drew his sword of vengeance and cleared that whole assembly in a single sweep. When the victorious one, who lights the world, turned back, he came thundering to Mount Aspruz. He loosened the coil of his lasso from Owlad; they sat down beneath a tall tree. The great hero asked Owlad the way to the city where King Kavus was held. When he heard the answer, he set off swiftly, Owlad running ahead of him on foot to guide the way. When the crown-bestower entered the city, Rakhsh let out a cry like a peal of thunder. Then the king said to the Iranians: The evil days are over for us. The neighing of my Rakhsh has reached my ears; my soul and heart are made fresh by that cry. He did not neigh like this even in Qobad's time, when he fought against the king of the Turks. And at that very moment he came before him: the hero who kindles wisdom, eager for battle. The mighty one came to Kavus, and all the proud nobles gathered around. He wept loudly and bowed low before him, and Kavus asked him about his long ordeals. King Kavus took him into his embrace and asked about Zal and about the hardships of the road. He told him quietly, out of these sorcerers' hearing: You must send Rakhsh away and keep him hidden. For when word reaches the White Demon that Arzhang is gone and the world is emptied of him, that the mighty hero has come to Kavus, all the fierce demons will gather together, all your labors will come to nothing, and the world will fill with their armies. So now take the road to the demon's lair; put your body, your blade, and your arrows to the test. Perhaps pure God will be your ally, and you will bring the chief of the sorcerers down into the dust. You must cross seven mountains, where the demons are massed in bands everywhere. A terrifying cave will lie before you, full of dread and danger, as I have heard. Your path lies past those warlike demons, all armed for battle like leopards. Deep in the cave sits the White Demon, on whom their whole army pins its fear and hope. If only you can destroy him, for he is the commander and the backbone of the host. Our army's eyes have gone dark with grief, and my own eyes are lost and blinded in that darkness. The physicians pinned their hope of a cure on the blood from the heart and brain of the White Demon. A learned physician said: if you take his blood, like teardrops, and drip three drops into the eyes, the darkness will be washed clean away with that blood. The mighty hero made himself ready for battle and set out from that place. He said to the Iranians: Stay awake and alert, for I have set my aim on the White Demon. He is a war-elephant and full of cunning, with vast armies massed around him. If it turns out that he bends my back in defeat, you will linger here long, wretched and grieving. But if the Lord of the sun is my ally, and my fortunate star lends me its strength, you will win back your land and your throne, and that royal tree will bear its fruit again.