The Shah is devastated by the news, but listens to Siavash's plea of innocence. He first smells Siavash's robes and finds no sign of seduction or perfume upon them. Then he smells the robes of the Queen and finds them laced with the most exquisite of perfumes: a sure sign of seduction. Nevertheless, he imprisons Siavash, and orders that hundreds of beasts of burden be used to bring fire wood. A gigantic mountain of fire is set alight in front of the Palace, and Siavash is ordered to ride through the blaze: for if he is innocent, he will emerge unscathed, and if guilty, he should surely perish. Siavash, armed as a cataphract, covered in camphor and with a white cape, the symbol of innocence, mounts his faithful black steed and charges straight into fire. The Court holds its breath, as he disappears into the fire. Shortly after, the white knight emerges on his valiant black war horse unscathed, unharmed, and victorious.