If the King takes heed of this, the flint of truth shall be struck for him, pure sincerity shall be urged, and the ornamentation of falsehood shall vanish from him."

Thereupon, Khosrow said to the minister: "Call the people to return to where they departed from." So the drum of return was beaten. It was the break of dawn, and the people and the army surged back, pressing against one another. Khosrow, his minister, and Hormuz descended upon an elevated part of the land until the very last of the people and the army had returned.

Then Khosrow said to his minister: "Remain at the rear of the army. If anyone asks about the reason for my return, inform them of nothing. Tell them: 'The King has returned by his own judgment; he commanded me to send the people back, for he has reached his goal and attained what he desired.'"

The King then turned to Hormuz and said: "Woe to you, O Hormuz! I want you to assist me in what I shall ask of you." Hormuz replied: "Let the King say what he wishes." The King said: "You and I shall proceed to the Pond, and we shall stand over those sarcophagi (nawawis) wherein the remains of the perished are gathered. I shall look upon them and behold those who died; perhaps I may take a lesson from them."

They traveled until they reached this spot. As they stood there, they beheld a knight approaching toward them, equipped with gear the likes of which they had never seen.