The March of Afrasiab

When the plain grew green with grass like fine silk, the warriors of Turan tightened their belts for war. An army came from among the Turks and the Chinese, along with the mace-bearers of the eastern lands. It was so vast it had no center and no edge, and Nozar's fortune was no longer young and green. When that army reached the banks of the Oxus, the news came to the son of Fereydun. The forces of the world's ruler marched out, leaving the royal palace for the open field. They set their course toward Dehestan, led by Qaren, ever eager for battle. King Nozar rode behind him, and the whole world was filled with talk of the coming war. When the army reached the plain before Dehestan, you would think the sun had vanished from sight. They pitched the royal pavilion of Nozar on the plain before the fortress. He did not begin the fight at Dehestan, and only a short while passed before word arrived. Word that Afrasiab, marching into the land of Iran, had chosen two commanders from among his nobles. Shamasas and brave Khazravan; he handed over to them the horsemen of his army. Some thirty thousand fighting men set out, all fit and ready for battle. They turned toward Zabolestan, driven by hatred to strike at Dastan. News came that Sam, son of Nariman, had died, and that brave Zal was building a tomb for him. At this Afrasiab was overjoyed, for he saw that fortune had fallen into a sleep in his favor. He advanced, and when he reached Dehestan, he raised his pavilion facing the enemy. Who could ever count that army? Reckon it at four hundred times a thousand men. It was as if every stone and grain of sand had boiled up; the whole desert swarmed like ants and locusts. With King Nozar there were a hundred and forty thousand mounted men ready for war. Afrasiab surveyed his army, and at nightfall he dispatched a swift courier on a camel. He wrote a letter to Peshang: 'We sought good fortune, and it has come into our grasp.' 'If we go hunting Nozar's whole army, they are our prey, to be trampled under hoof.' 'Besides, Sam has left the king's court, and surely he will not come to this battle.' 'Zal the golden is busy building his tomb; he has neither the strength nor the wings for war.' 'It was he I feared in the land of Iran; now that he is gone, let us take our revenge on Iran!' 'By now Shamasas must be seated in Nimruz, wearing the crown that lights up the world.' 'When action is called for, it is good to take counsel with a wise man and a friend.' 'When a man grows lazy at the time for action, he will never find such an opportunity again.' The swift camel spread its wings, as it were, and sped to the commander whose glory shone like the sun.