Shaghad (شغاد)

Shaghad was the son of Zal (Rostam's father) and a slave girl, making him Rostam’s half-brother. Astrologers predicted at his birth that Shaghad would destroy the line of Sam (Rostam's grandfather). He was sent to learn from the King of Kabul, who married his daughter to Shaghad. When Rostam demanded tribute from Kabul, Shaghad, feeling slighted and jealous of Rostam's power, conspired with the Shah of Kabul to kill him. Shaghad and the King of Kabul lured Rostam to a hunting ground, where they had dug several pits filled with poisoned spears. Rostam and his loyal horse, Rakhsh, fell into one, both suffering fatal wounds. Realizing the betrayal, Rostam asked Shaghad for a bow with two arrows, claiming he needed to protect himself from lions while dying. Shaghad complied but hid behind an old sycamore tree for protection, fearing a final retaliation. Rostam, despite his wounds, used his final strength to shoot an arrow through the sycamore tree, piercing Shaghad and pinning him to it. Shaghad died before the hero, and Rostam died shortly after, taking his revenge.