Mirza kept on traveling.. he crossed the Sindhu river.. he was nearing the Hindu Kush mountains.. the peaks of mountains were covered in snow.. the temperatures were dropping and travelling in this climate was nothing but suicide..Mirza asked for shelter at a nomadic caravan and rested for two whole days.. he then gave his horse to the clan leader and requested for a camel.. the horse was a very superior breed.. so the clan Lord accepted and gave him a good camel..
The climate improved, so Mirza started his journey again.. he relentlessly travelled for weeks.. he entered Afghan lands.. he rested for a week in a small inn.. he got his camel well fed and watered..
He resumed his onward journey.. he entered Iran.. it was a journey that could not be accomplished alone.. only packs of people could make it across countries.. but since Mirza had a loyal heart bound to Zaffar.. he kept himself motivated and reached the Shah"s palace..
At the entrance, Mirza was stopped.. he said to the guards "I am Mirza, Mir Al Zaffar"s general.. I have an important message to the Shah.. " the guards asked him to wait.. they went in and came back, they said, "come in.. "
The palace was magnificent, the way in which it was done was extravagant.. the Shah surrounded himself with beauty and riches.. even the maids here were considered to be rare beauties.. Mirza pa.s.sed through several rooms before he entered a chamber..
Mirza was asked to kneel.. he did so without any hesitation.. this was expected.. he was not the general of the Shah.. he was under Zaffar.. he was nothing in front of the Shah.. he knelt and waited..
The Shah came in, he looked at Mirza and said, "Zaffar got captured? " Mirza said, "your majesty.. yes.. " Shah snorted and said, "ambition is good.. but one needs to know their limitations.. he was a bandit leader... wanting to take on a whole country was foolish.. it was good that my men came back.. my general understood the war better than all of you.. " Mirza"s heart trembled.. the Shah addressed everything in a go.. there was no way he could have asked for his help.. he still had a great Trump card.. the treasure..if he wanted to invoke the Shah"s pity.. it would have been a fruitless effort..
Mirza let the Shah complete.. then he said, "your majesty.. I request you to take pity on your servant Zaffar, while fighting them we came across some information related to a valuable treasure.. " Shah said, "what treasure? " Zaffar handed him over the scroll.. the Shah read it and looked at him with mockery.. he said, "how do I know that this is not a ruse to draw me in and use my forces to release Zaffar.. " Mirza said, "your majesty, your servant doesn"t dare to.. this is written in ancient Persian language.. you can ask your historians to check how authentic it is... " Shah said, "very well.. we will make the necessary investigation.. then we will talk further.. till then you will remain here.. " he mockingly added, "as a guest.. " and slyly smiled..