Ibn Kathir was the local lord of Shahpur Khwast. He hosted Shahin during his secret quest for the Banner of Kaviyan. Ibn Kathir questioned him closely on his ancestors drawing extensive charts based on Shahin's answers. At first Shahin thought ibn Kathir was suspicious of him but concluded he was merely interested in genealogy. Shahin had noticed this fascination in past dealings with Arabs but thought poorly of it. That night Shahin was awakened by ibn Kathir's Steward who took him to a secret meeting with Mirud, the lord's wife. She was a descendant of one of Khusro's treasure-keepers and provided him with information where the banner maybe hidden.