Bostama not wishing to return to her father’s house, which was the next day razed to the ground, was sent to the queen’s apartments.

The old man her father, Behram, and all their families were brought before the king, who condemned them to be beheaded.  They threw themselves at his feet, and implored his mercy.  “There is no mercy for you to expect,” said the king, “unless you renounce the adoration of fire, and profess the Mahummedan religion.”

They accepted the condition, and were pardoned at the intercession of Assad, in consideration of Bostama’s friendship; for whose sake Cavama’s life, and the lives of the rest of their families were saved.

Amgiad, in consideration of Behram turning Mussulmaun, and to compensate for the loss which he had suffered before he deserved his favour, made him one of his principal officers, and lodged him in his house.  Behram, being informed of Amgiad and his brother Assad’s story, proposed to his benefactor, to fit out a vessel to convey them to their father’s court:  “For,” said he, “the king must certainly have heard of your innocence, and impatiently desire to see you:  otherwise we can easily inform him of the truth before we land, and if he is still in the same mind, you can but return.”

The two brothers accepted the proposal, communicated it to the king of the city of the magicians, who approved of it; and commanded a ship to be equipped.  Behram undertook the employment cheerfully, and soon got in readiness to sail.  The two princes, when they understood the ship was ready, waited upon the king to take leave.  While they were making their compliments, and thanking the king for his favours, they were interrupted by a great tumult in the city:  and presently an officer came to give them notice that a numerous army was advancing against the city, nobody knowing who they were, or whence they had come.

The king being alarmed at the intelligence, Amgiad addressed him thus:  “Sir, though I have just resigned into your majesty’s hands the dignity of your first minister, with which you were pleased to honour me, I am ready to do you all the service in my power.  I desire therefore that you would be pleased to let me go and see who this enemy is, that comes to attack you in your capital, without having first declared war.”

The king desired him to do so.  Amgiad departed immediately, with a very small retinue, to see what enemy approached, and what was the reason of their coming.

It was not long before prince Amgiad descried the army, which appeared very formidable, and which approached nearer and nearer.  The advanced guards received him favourably, and conducted him to a princess, who stopped, and commanded her army to halt, while she talked with the prince; who, bowing profoundly to her, demanded if she came as a friend or an enemy:  if as an enemy, what cause of complaint she had against the king his master?