The end of Behram Chobin

Kharrād, the emissary of Iranian king Khushru was not able to persuade the Chinese king to handover the rebel Behram to the Iranian king.  Hence he decided to change his strategy.

He was aware of Kalun, an aged Turkish warrior, who was a relative of Makātureh, and held a grudge against Behram after he had killed Makātureh. Right since that time, Kalun had wanted to avenge his death. Kharrād summoned Kalun and befriended him.

Just then Kharrād came to know that the princess of China was not well. He sent a message to the Cinese Queen conveying that he could heal her, as he had knowledge about medicine. The Queen agreed and the princess was healed by Kharrād. The Queen offered lavish gifts to him, but he politely declined, saying that he would ask for a favour from her at a later date.

Kharrād came to know that Behram with his army had reached Marv in Iran. He instigated Kalun to go to Marv and kill Behram, when he was alone. If he succeeded he was promised refuge in Iran and a city in gift from king Khushru.  Moreover he would have the satisfaction of avenging his relative Makātureh’s death. Kalun agreed and set off for Marv. However, he needed a permit from the Chinese king to go to Marv. Kharrād knew how to arrange that.

Kharrād went to the Queen and requested her to get him a letter of permission to leave China by using the seal of the Khakan when he was asleep. The Queen who was obliged to Kharrād for saving her daughter, agreed. On getting the permit, Kalun immediately left for Marv.

On reaching Marv, Kalun waited for an opportunity to go to Behram when he was alone. Kalun got this opportunity one day. He reached Behram’s tent and sent a word that he had a message for Behram from his wife, the Chinese princess, which he needed to deliver to him verbally and in person, so that nobody else could hear it. Behram saw him from the window. He did not feel threatened by an old man, so he allowed him to come in. Kalun went in carrying a dagger in his sleeve. As soon as he went close to him, as if to say something in his ears, he drew the dagger into Behram’s stomach.

Behram fell writhing in pain. His soldier’s caught Kalun and mercilessly beat him up wanting to know who had sent him. Kalun did not utter a word though his hands and legs were broken. Then he was kept in isolation.

When Behram’s sister Gordiyeh got the news, she came rushing. She reprimanded him for wasting his life in backing the wrong persons. Behram felt repentant on his deathbed. He asked his sister and Yalān-sineh to always be together and look after each other. He sent an apology to Khushru, asking to be forgiven. Requesting his last resting place to be in Iran, Behram breathed his last.

When Khakan came to know of Behram’s death he grieved a lot. On inquiring, he came to know that Kharrād and Kalun’s were responsible for Behram’s death. He summoned Kharrād, but he had already fled. In revenge he had Kalun’s family killed and his village burnt. The whole of China grieved for Behram for some time.

Khushru, on hearing about Behram’s death, not only celebrated himself, but also announced festivities in the entire nation. By that time Kharrād had reached Iran. He was handsomely rewarded for eliminating one of the biggest enemies of Iran. The good tidings were conveyed even to the Roman Kaisar.

Khakan’s proposal for Gordiyeh

The Khakan realized that all the relatives of Behram must be without support, so he decided to help them. He called them from Marv to China. He offered to marry Gordiyeh, and make her his chief queen. Gordiyeh replied that she was agreeable to his offer, but she could go to him only after finishing the four months period of mourning.

Gordiyeh, in fact, was not in favour of the marriage, as she was an Iranian and the Khakan was Turkish. She consulted some elders and decided to flee to Iran. Some members of Behram’s family, including his brother, decided to go back to China. But Gordiyeh took weapons, wore an armour and took charge of the small of army of Behram. Along with commanders Yalan-sineh and Yazad-goshasp, they left for Iran.

Behram’s brother reached China and informed the Khakan about Gordiyeh’s decision to return to Iran. The Khakan immediately asked him to go to his sister and convince her to return or else he would fight with her. He sent another senior warrior by the name Tuborg to help him.

After four days, an army of six thousand soldiers caught up with Gordiyeh and her group. Tuborg, was not able to recognize Gordiyeh who had donned an armour and helmet, and had mounted a horse. He asked her the whereabouts of Gordiyeh.

After Gordiyeh introduced herself to Tuborg, he gave her the Khakan’s message and told her that the Chinese king had asked her to come to China even if she did not want to marry him, otherwise he would have to take her forcefully.

Gordiyeh challenged Tuborg to a fight, and said that if she would lose she was willing to marry anybody he chose. In the duel, Tuborg was killed and later the entire army sent by the Khakan was decimated. Gordiyeh, now did not know where to go, so she waited in Āmui. She sent a letter to her brother Gordui and asked him to relate to King Khushru all that had transpired. Gordui did accordingly.

Gastaham joins Gordiyeh

In Iran, Khushru got his uncle Bandui mercilessly killed by hacking off his hands and legs, to avenge his father, king Hormazd’s death. Then, Khushru summoned his other uncle Gastaham from Khorasan. On receiving the message Gastaham immediately left for Iran through Sāri and Āmul. He was aware that Khushru had his brother Bandui killed, and he feared that the king would have him killed too as he was with his brother whilst killing king Hormazd. He had no option but to rebel.

When Gastaham came to know about Gordiyeh, he decided to join hands with her. The two met in the jungle, and Gastaham narrated his fears to her. He said that king Khushru never forgets old rivalries, and hence he will definitely take revenge with all those who were connected with Behram Chobin. Gordiyeh agreed with Gastaham, who then proposed her for marriage, and he being an Iranian from a noble family, she agreed to marry him.

When king Khushru came to know that Gastaham has disobeyed him by not coming and had married Gordiyeh, he became very angry. He asked Gordui to write a letter to Gordiyeh conveying her that she had always been on Khushru’s side even when Behram was alive, and even her other brother Gordui was his faithful advisor, so she need not worry about anything. Gastaham has misled her and she should punish him by taking his life. He promised to make her his queen and pardon her commanders and soldiers.

Gordui suggested that instead of himself going to Gordiyeh, he would send his wife with the letter explaining her everything and convincing her for the marriage. Khushru liked the idea.

Gordiyeh marries Khushru

On reading the letter Gordiyeh agreed to what her brother and the king had told her. With the help of five of her commanders, she killed Gastaham in his sleep. When Khushru came to know of this, he was very happy and he summoned her to his palace. In a short while, he officially made her his queen.

At the king’s request Gordiyeh displayed her skills in horse riding and wielding various weapons like spears, swords, mace and bow-arrows. The king was highly impressed.

However, queen Shirin cautioned the king, saying “Beware of this woman. She would become dangerous, the day the thought of avenging her brother comes to her mind.” The king laughed off the remark and told her that he was confident that she would always be friendly. After showing off her warrior like body and skills, the king asked her whether she was able to drink wine like a warrior. He offered her a large cup of wine, which she drank in one gulp without batting an eyelid. The king was amazed. Immediately, the king appointed her as the overseer of his personal bodyguards and the bodyguards of the harem.

To be continued………