The Nāṣirī Generations 87.2

87.2

When the troops of Khwarazm Shah came in sight the Ata-bak, Sa'd, imagined that this was the army of the Atabak, Yuz-bak, and at once marshalled his ranks in order, and attacked the Sultan’s army, and threw it into confusion. Suddenly, one of the champions of Khwarazm Shah’s army joined spears with him; and the name of that champion was Kashkah, who was the [Sultan’s] Amir-i-Akhur [lord of the stables]. The champion hurled the horse of Sa’d to the ground, and wanted to slay him; but the Ata-bak cried out to him: — “I am the Ata-bak, Sa’d; do not slay me. Say, Whose army is yours?” The champion replied: — “The army of Sultan Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah.” The Ata-bak rejoined: — “Take me to the Sultan’s presence.” On reaching the Sultan’s presence, Sa’d kissed the ground, and said: — “King of the Universe, by the great God, this your servant knew not that this was the king’s army, otherwise he would never have drawn his sword.” The Sultan comforted and encouraged him, and forthwith had him remounted; and, on account of what had reached the ears of the Sultan respecting the great energy, manliness, and intrepidity, of the Ata-bak, Sa’d, he treated him with honour and reverence, and restored to him the dominion of Fars, upon this stipulation — that one half of that territory should be held by the Maliks, or great nobles, and trusty retainers of the Khwarazm Shahi dynasty, and the other half should belong to the Ata-bak.