بخش 6
Prose Version
After a restless night, Afrasiyab wakes up in terror, screaming and trembling. His attendants rush to him, and Garsivaz, his brother, asks what happened. Afrasiyab, shaken, asks for time to recover before describing his nightmare. He dreamt of a desert full of snakes, the sky filled with eagles, and his own camp destroyed by a whirlwind. He saw his soldiers slaughtered and an Iranian army led by a young prince attacking him. In the dream, he was captured and brought before King Kavus, where a young boy, not even fourteen years old, cut him in half with a sword. Afrasiyab summons his wise men and dream interpreters, promising them safety and rewards if they speak the truth. One brave interpreter explains the dream: a powerful army led by a prince (Siavash) is coming. If Afrasiyab fights Siavash, the land will be ruined, and Turan will fall into chaos. If Siavash is killed, the consequences will be even worse, leading to the destruction of the kingdom. The only way to avoid disaster is peace. Terrified by this interpretation, Afrasiyab decides to seek peace with Siavash. He tells Garsivaz and his nobles that he wants to end the cycle of war and injustice. He plans to send Garsivaz with lavish gifts—gold, horses, slaves, and treasures—to Siavash and Rostam. His message proposes that the lands up to the Oxus River belong to Turan, and they should respect the ancient boundaries set by Fereydun. He urges Siavash to convince King Kavus to agree to peace, hoping to avoid further bloodshed and secure his own reign. He also sends gifts to Rostam, acknowledging his power but noting he is not a king.