The Story of the Fire Worshippers

Feramorz's third tale is 'The Fire Worshippers', which references the Zoroastrians of Persia (here known as Ghebers). Their leader Hafed, using the alias of 'Zal', attempts the tower where the invading Arab chief Al Hassan is ensconced, only to encounter the latter's lovely daughter Hinda, with whom he quickly falls in love. She returns his feelings, but is alarmed when he shows her the belt that reveals him as her enemy. After Zal departs, Hinda's father tells her of his plan to ambush the Ghebers, and so Hinda sets off in her bark to save her lover. She is taken captive by a Gheber war ship, where she is protected by her lover who is none other than the fearsome Gheber leader Hafed.  Hafed decides she must depart to a safer place, so Hinda again takes to the sea. As the Ghebers are overwhelmed by the forces of Hinda's father, Hafed throws himself into the flames of the their sacred altar. Hinda witnesses this from afar, and throws herself into the sea, where she drowns. The Peri descends to mourn over Hinda's body.