Part 24

Mehrab sounded the flutes and strapped on the war drums; he arrayed his army as bright as a rooster's eye. With mighty elephants and musicians, the ground became paradise from one horizon to the other. So many silken banners of every color: red and white, yellow and violet. The sound of flutes, the sound of harps, the blaring of horns and the ringing of bells. You would think it was the Day of Judgment; it was a resurrection, though it was only celebration. He went on this way until he reached Sam; he dismounted his horse and stepped forward. The great champion took him in his arms and asked him how the times had treated him. The king of Kabul offered his praise, both to Sam and likewise to Zal the golden-haired. He mounted his swift steed, rising like a new moon lifting its head above the mountain. A golden crown set with jewels he placed upon the head of Zal the golden-haired. They reached Kabul, laughing and joyful, recalling the tales of years gone by. The whole city rang with the sound of Indian bells, with the plucking of lute and harp and flute. You would think that beast and prey had turned musicians; the world had put on a new adornment. The manes and necks of the horses, from end to end, were smeared with musk and saffron. Sindokht came out with her servants, three hundred attendants with their belts fastened. Each of them held a golden cup in hand, filled with musk and jewels. They all sang Sam's praises, then scattered jewels from their cups. Everyone who came up to that feast left with more wealth than they could need. Sam laughed and said to Sindokht, 'How long will you keep Rudabeh hidden?' Sindokht said to him, 'Where is the gift, if you wish to see the sun?' Sam answered Sindokht thus: 'Ask of me whatever your heart desires.' They went to the gold-painted chamber, where a joyful spring dwelled within. Sam gazed at that moon-faced one and was struck with wonder at everything about her. He did not know how to praise her, nor how to lift his eyes upon her. He ordered Mehrab to come forward, and they bound the marriage bond by rite and custom. They seated the pair joyfully on a single throne and showered them with cornelian and topaz. The head of the moon-bride bore a renowned diadem, the head of the prince a jewel-studded crown. Then he brought the ledger of treasures, a fine inventory of the whole hoard. He read out from it every treasure there was, riches that no ear had dared to hear described. They went from there to their place of rest and spent a week with wine in hand. From the palace they went back to the garden and gave themselves to joy for three weeks. The nobles of his land, with gifts in hand, came drawn up before the lofty palace. At the start of the month Sam, son of Nariman, set out, turning swiftly toward Sistan. With Zal and the army, the elephants and the war drums; fortune itself kissed his stirrup. He had a litter and a canopied palanquin made, a bower to seat the moon-bride within. Then Sindokht and Mehrab and their kin turned their faces toward Sistan. They set off with glad hearts and cheerful spirits, their lips full of praise for good deeds done. They arrived triumphant at Nimruz, so joyful and laughing, lighting up the world. Then Sam prepared a banquet and feasted with wine for three days there. After that Sindokht stayed there, while he led his own army toward Kabul. At that time he handed the kingship to Zal and led out the army under a fortunate omen. He marched toward Gorgsaran and the west, raising his blessed banner high. He said, 'I will go, for that kingdom is mine, yet their hearts and eyes are not true to us.' 'Manuchehr gave me the charter of that land and said: hold it, and keep it in check.' 'I fear the rebellion of the evil-natured, especially the warriors of Mazandaran.' Sam departed in a single stroke, and Zal took the throne, arranged wine and gatherings, and held his head high.