Chapter 2: Kavus Leaves for Mazandaran

As soon as the sun displayed its golden crown above the horizon, Kavus hastened to prepare his army for the campaign. The noble warriors girded on their swords, donned their helmets, and took up their heavy maces. Their banners filled the sky with color. The sound of trumpets and the clatter of the horses hooves shook the rocks in the earth as the great army advanced to the frontier of Mazandaran.

At the foot of Mount Asporuz, within sight of the capital city, the army set up their tents. In his pavilion, Kavus spread golden brocades and covered the rocky ground with fine carpets. Then he called for wine, and he and his nobles celebrated their forthcoming victory.

The next morning Kavus said to Giv the brave: “Take two thousand good men with you and batter down the doors of the city with your heavy maces. Burn all the buildings you see. Rid the world of these monsters and magic workers. Let neither old nor young escape your blade.”

So Giv buckled on his sword and led his soldiers to the city of Mazandaran. It was sublimely beautiful, and all decorated with roses and brocade hangings as though for a festival. There was wealth and beauty on all sides. The men wore golden turbans; the faces of the women were beautiful as the moon. Had you seen it you would have called it a paradise. Giv attacked the city with sword and mace. No one found mercy at his hands and, when all were slain, he burned the city to the ground.