بخش 25

Much time passed before Goshtāsp turned his face toward Sīstān, where he established the rites of the Zand and Avesta and summoned the mobeds as witnesses. When that noble king arrived, the champion of the host—the lord of Nimruz, Rostam, world-wise and peer to Sām—came with Zāl the elder and the nobles and select men to greet him joyfully. They brought him as their guest to Zābol, standing in humble attendance. From Goshtāsp they learned the Zand and the sacred kusti; they bound the cord and kindled the sacred fire. This hospitality lasted two years, with Goshtāsp feasting in company with Zāl’s son. Throughout the lands the kings came to know that Goshtāsp had bound the lion of the field—Esfandiyār, the great champion—and had wounded his elephant-like body with iron. In Zābolistān a prophet appeared who cursed idolatry, and the people turned wholly from the king’s command and broke his covenant. When Bahman was informed that the king had imprisoned that guiltless lion, Esfandiyār’s chosen men withdrew from the army, taking the long road; they came to Esfandiyār—princes of royal stock, lion-like—and kept his father consoled, not leaving the prisoner alone, giving him solace. News reached the lord of China that the king’s suspicion had turned to vengeance: Goshtāsp had raged at Esfandiyār and sent him, shamed, to prison and chains; and Goshtāsp himself had drawn from Balkh to Zābolistān, crossing the waste and beholding the Seyhun, and for two years sat in Zābol as Zāl’s guest. In Balkh remained only King Lohrāsp, with none of the Iranians or the army—save some seven hundred fire-worshipers, with hands raised before the sacred flame, and the guards of Homāy’s palace. The king of Chagel summoned all the nobles, steeled their hearts for war against Lohrāsp, and said: Know that King Goshtāsp has taken the road to Nimruz, seated in Zābol with his host, and there is no rider left in all his realm; now is the time to seek vengeance—we must make ready and array ourselves. His son, the noble Esfandiyār, is fast in heavy bonds. Who is the man, seeker of secrets, who will traverse this deep, long road and return from Iran wary and informed? A sorcerer named Setūh stood forth—he who crosses distances and searches out the hidden—and said softly, seeking renown: I am the one; tell me what you require, and I shall do it. The king of China said: Go to Iran and see how fare the guardians of the fire in Balkh. The seeker of secrets traveled and reached chosen Balkh—the seat of the king; he did not find Goshtāsp within, but saw worshipers and Lohrāsp; he returned and reported before the Khāqān, prostrating to the ground. When Arjāsp learned all, he rejoiced and was freed from his long sorrow; he summoned the chiefs and said: Go, gather the scattered army. The warriors went through mountain and desert and pasture, recalling his troops—the chosen riders of his domain.