بخش 12

Giv said to Rustam, "O pride of kings and heroes! I will go to the bridge and block Afrasiyab, preventing him from crossing the water to this side. I'll hold him there long enough for our warriors to put on their armor, for our time of feasting is over." He galloped to the bridge with two strung bows, but upon arrival, he saw the flag of the tyrant Afrasiyab and realized the enemy had already crossed. Rustam put on his tiger-skin armor (Babr-e Bayan) and mounted his mighty elephant. When Afrasiyab saw Rustam in his armor, with his massive mace on his shoulder, his heart sank. He saw Tus, Gudarz, Gorgin, Giv, Bahram, Zangeh, Farhad, and Barzin, all ready for war with Indian swords in hand. They attacked like leopards. Giv fought like a lion who had lost its prey, smashing enemies with his mace. The warriors of Chin fled from him, and the commander of Turan was bewildered. Afrasiyab, fearing Rustam, hesitated to engage. He rode through his army, softly encouraging his men, but many Turanian leaders were killed, and their fortunes turned. Afrasiyab asked Piran, "Is this a battlefield or a place to sleep? We were supposed to be brave lions, but now I see a field of foxes. You are the most famous warrior of Turan; go and clear the field of them. If you win, Iran is yours." Piran, fired up by these words, gathered ten thousand dagger-wielding Turks and attacked Rustam like fire. Rustam, foaming at the mouth with rage, roared like a stormy sea. With his shield over his head and sword in hand, he killed two-thirds of that group. Afrasiyab watched from afar and told his nobles, "If this continues until nightfall, not a single rider will remain." He asked, "Where is the warrior Alkus? He was the one who demanded to fight lions and specifically asked for Giv and Rustam in his drunken boasts. Where is his fire now?" Alkus heard this and charged on his black horse with over a thousand warriors. He saw Zavareh and, mistaking him for Rustam, attacked him. They fought fiercely. Alkus broke Zavareh's spear, then they drew swords which also broke. Finally, Alkus threw a massive mace that stunned Zavareh, knocking him unconscious from his horse. Alkus dismounted to cut off Zavareh's head, but Rustam saw his brother in danger and rushed towards them like fire. He shouted so loudly that Alkus's hand went limp. Alkus mounted his horse in terror. Rustam taunted him, "You haven't felt a lion's claw yet, that's why you were so bold!" Zavareh, in pain and covered in blood, remounted. Alkus then fought Rustam. He struck Rustam's belt with a spear, but it had no effect. Rustam struck Alkus in the chest with his spear, soaking his helmet in blood from his liver. He lifted Alkus from his saddle with the spear, to the amazement of both armies, and smashed him onto the ground like a piece of a mountain. The Turanians were terrified. Then, the seven brave heroes drew their swords and, backed by their leaders with heavy maces, charged the enemy. They killed so many that the earth turned red with blood, and bodies lay everywhere like fallen elephants, making it impossible to move across the battlefield.