Chapter 4: Rustam Battles the White Div

Rustam, his heart full of hatred against the White Div, followed his guide Owlad across seven high mountains. As night fell they reached a place between two peaks, a place so terrible that no eagle dared fly over it and the stars were afraid to look down upon it. Hoards of divs covered the mountains, which echoed with their howls. Rutem said to Owlad: “The final battle has arrived. Now reveal to me the mysteries of this place.”

Owlad replied: “Beyond this army of divs is the mouth of a bottomless cave. Inside dwells the White Div, leader of all the divs, hope and terror of his followers. He is as big as a mountain, and when he moves the earth trembles like a leaf. I advise you to wait until the sun rises when the divs all go to sleep. Then – if God, the master of victory, aids you – you may be able to defeat them.”

Rustam said to Owlad: “I have always found truth in your words. I will wait.” When the sun was high in the sky, Rustam tied Owlad from head to foot. Drawing his battle sword from its scabbard, he let out a cry like a thunderclap and charged into the crowd of sleeping divs. No one could stand before his sword and soon the divs were in retreat.

Rustam found himself at the entrance to a dark cavern that seemed to lead to the depths of Hell. He hesitated at its opening with his sword in his hand, straining to see what was hidden in its shadows. Finally, he made out a huge figure with a mane like a lion that filled the entire cavern. Having found his quarry, Rustam roared like a tiger and charged into the cave.