Part 12

When the sun vanished from the world, dark night marched its army across the plain. The mighty Rostam came before the king, girded for battle, his heart hungry for revenge. He said: 'Crowned lord, grant me leave to slip out from here without crown or belt, so I can see who this young warrior is, who the great ones are, and who leads them.' Kavus told him: 'This task is yours. May you stay alert and stay unharmed.' Rostam put on a Turkish outfit and hurried toward the fortress. When he drew near the stronghold, he heard the Turks calling out their toasts of joy. The brave man slipped inside that fort, like a fierce lion stalking gazelles. There he saw Sohrab seated on the banquet throne, Zhende-Razm at his right hand, and at his other side the bold rider Human, and beside him the renowned lion, Barman. You would think the whole throne was Sohrab alone; he was like a fresh, glowing cypress. His two arms were like a camel's thighs, his chest broad as an elephant's, his face flushed like blood. A hundred bold Turks circled him, young and proud as fierce lions. Fifty servants stood, hands folded, before that bright and lofty throne. One by one they praised him, his height and stature, his sword and signet ring. Rostam watched him from afar, sitting still, studying the feasting men. For some errand Zhende went out; there he saw a warrior tall as a cypress. There was no one like him in that army. He came up to Rostam and quickly questioned him. 'What man are you? Tell me. Step into the light and show your face.' The mighty Rostam struck a fist so hard on his neck that the life burst out of his body. On the spot Zhende-Razm went stiff; he never came back to the feast. For a while Sohrab waited; the lion-hearted Zhende did not return to him. Sohrab asked where Zhende-Razm had gone, that his place at the feast stood empty. They went out and found him thrown down, wretched, done with feasting and with war. They came back crying out in grief, stunned and bewildered at what had befallen Zhende. They told Sohrab: 'Zhende-Razm is gone; his days of battle and banquet are over.' When Sohrab heard, he leapt up at once and rushed to Zhende like a gust of smoke. With his attendants, torches, and musicians he came and found him dead like that. He was struck with wonder and stood dazed; then he summoned his warriors and chiefs. He said: 'Tonight no one should sleep. All night long we must keep our spears in hand, for a wolf has gotten into the flock and has tested every dog and every man.' 'If the Creator of the world stands with me, once my steed's hoof touches this ground, I will loose the lasso from my saddle straps and take revenge for Zhende from the Iranians.' He came and sat upon his throne and called all his noblemen before him, saying: 'Though Zhende-Razm is lost from my throne, my heart could never have its fill of feasting.' When Rostam headed back toward the king, Giv was standing guard over the Iranian army. On the road he saw the elephant-bodied hero; he reached out and drew his mace. He roared like a maddened elephant, raised his shield above his head, and showed his hand. Rostam realized that Giv must be the Iranian army's night sentry on the road. He laughed, then let out a shout; when the sentry heard Rostam's voice, he came on foot up to him and said: 'O great war-chief, where have you been on foot in the dark of night?' The mighty one opened his lips to speak. He told Giv what he had done, how such a lion of a man had been struck down. From there he went to the king and spoke of the Turks and their banquet hall, of Sohrab, his height and stature, his arms and his handsome shoulders, saying no one like him had ever risen among the Turks; his frame stood straight as a cypress. In Turan or Iran he resembled no one; you would say he was Sam the rider himself, no less. And he told of the fist to Zhende-Razm's neck, after which he never came to war or feast again. They talked; then they called for wine and music, and all night long the army made itself ready.