The Banner Nobody Showed Him

Two people make sure he cannot find Rostam. Afrasiab, in the Shahnameh, sends his commanders with a standing order that the father must not recognise the son by any tie of instinct or blood — and adds that if Sohrab survives they will kill him quietly afterwards, so that either outcome pays. Then Sohrab takes his captive Hojir to a height and asks him to read the Iranian banners, and Hojir names every one except the one that matters. His reason is not malice: he judges that if Sohrab knows which man is Rostam, Rostam is the one who will die. Sohrab strikes him down and rides out to look himself.