Section 5: The Battle and Nozar's Grief

Both armies rested afterward, then on the second day the warriors marched out again. The Iranians drew up their ranks, arranged for war as befits a royal host. When Afrasiab saw that army, he struck the brazen war drum and formed his lines. The dust of the horsemen so filled the world that you would think the sun had gone into hiding. The battle cry rose from both sides; you could no longer tell the plain from the mountain. So fiercely the armies clashed that blood poured out like a flowing river. Wherever Qaren charged into the fray, blood rained down through the black dust. Wherever brave Afrasiab rose up, the plain turned all to blood, a river of water. At last Nozar came out from the heart of his army, seeking battle near him. They hurled spear against spear, each raising his lance-point at the other, so that no snake ever coiled and struck like this; when do kings ever wage such a fight? So it went until the dark night closed in, and Pashang's son grew helpless before him. The Iranian army suffered greater losses, while on the other side the assault kept coming. In desperation they turned away, leaving their dead scattered across the plain. Nozar's heart was full of pain and sorrow, for his crown had lost its lucky star to the dust. When the sound of the war drums died down on the plain, he ordered Tus to come before him. Tus came, and Gostaham with him, their lips sighing and their souls full of grief. He told them what pain lay in his heart; he spoke a while, and wept a while. He recalled the counsel of his noble father, his heart bleeding, his lips heavy with cold sighs. How his father had warned him that from the Turks and China an army would come against the land of Iran, and that they would fill his heart with grief, and bring much harm upon his army. Now the sign of the king's words has come true; that day of the proud warriors has arrived. No one has read in the records of the famous that anyone drove out so vast a Turkish army. You must go toward Pars, bring away the women of the household, and return. From there withdraw toward Mount Zaveh, and lead the people up to Mount Alborz. For now, go from here to Sepahan, and slip away secretly from this army. They would be disheartened by your leaving, and wounded even more by this defeat. Perhaps only one or two of Fereydun's line will carry their lives out of this countless throng. I do not know if there will be any meeting after this; let us fight our last, this one night. Keep scouts alert by night and day; watch the affairs of the world with a clear mind. If they give bad news of this army, the glory of this kingship will grow dim. Do not let your hearts be too heavy with sorrow, for such evil had to come from the high wheel of fate. For one, the hour of death comes in battle; another sits glad beneath the crown of greatness. The slain body becomes one with the dead; it struggles a moment, then finds its ease. He gave them all his counsel as was fitting, then he drew out that royal hand. He took his two sons into his arms, and tears streamed from the king's eyes.