Fereydoun's March from the Arvand River to Zahhak's Capital

When he reached the banks of the Arvand River, he sent his greeting to the river guards. The victorious king said to the guard: launch a boat onto the water right now. Carry me and my army across to that side, and let none of these people stay behind. Get me across the face of the water, quickly, with boats and rafts. The river guard brought no boat, and did not come down to hear what Fereydoun said. He answered like this: the king of the world spoke to me secretly and said: Do not let even a gnat cross until you first obtain a pass and a valid seal. When Fereydoun heard this he grew furious, and had no fear of that deep water. Right then he tightened his royal belt and mounted his swift steed. His head burned for vengeance and battle; he drove his rose colored horse into the water. His companions all fastened their belts and likewise turned toward the water. On those wind swift horses, with praise, they plunged their saddles deep into the flood. The vengeance seekers reached dry land and set their faces toward Jerusalem, which in the tongue of the mighty was called Kang, the ill natured fortress. In Arabic now know it as the Holy House; know it as the palace Zahhak raised. When from the plain they drew near the city, they came seeking their share of that city. From a mile away Fereydoun looked out and saw a palace in that royal city, shining like Jupiter in the sky, a place of nothing but joy and peace and love. Its hall rose higher than Saturn, so tall you would say it meant to touch the stars. He knew this was the dragon's house, a place of grandeur and of splendor. He said to his companions: one who can raise such a lofty height on dark earth from a pit, I fear he may hold some hidden secret with which he controls the world. We must hurry into this narrow place; delay is folly on this day. He spoke, and reached for his heavy mace, and gave the rein to his swift horse. You would think he was a burning fire that flared up before the palace guard. He lifted the heavy mace from the front of his saddle; you would say he was folding up the earth. None of the guards was left standing at the gate; Fereydoun called on the Creator of the world. On horseback he rode into the great palace, that mighty youth who had not yet conquered the world.