[ IP ] Fit for a king .

“ What use do I have for these elaborate floor cloths of yours? Do you not see the magnificence of my stone floors? Each tile polished to perfection and cleaned daily, cleaned so well that were I a lesser man, I would eat from it myself! ” the king blustered as the rug unfolded, snapping loudly as it reached the end. “ You would have me sully these remarkable rooms with your threads of many colors? Nonsense! I'll have none of it! ” 
 
 “ Surely your majesty sees the quality of such a tremendous piece? Each thread intricately woven by hand, countless fibers spun, collected, and placed over the course of many years to bring you this rug alone! There are many pieces such as this that our finest craftsmen dedicate their entire lives to! ” the salesman exclaimed, gesturing grandly towards the rug and visions that only he could see. “ This is art! This is beauty! A king such as yourself undoubtedly finds the meaning in such a thing! ” 
 
 “ This carpet of which you speak, does it perform for me as well? Is it capable of magic? ” the king replied as his anger and annoyance turned to laughter and mockery. “ If it is as amazing as you say, surely it is capable of at least this! ” 
 
 The king's men gathered around him nodding and laughing as their king did so. They watched his face and his motions to know exactly what reaction was expected of them at the given time. The salesman noticed this as well. Gesturing towards his men perched above, the salesman gave the order to reveal a second, smaller rug. He knew that this would not be an easy sale, but it would be made easier if he could convince the king to speak with him a little more privately. Stepping on and over the many woven works strewn across the room, the salesman closed the gap between the king and himself. He drew as close as he thought the guards would allow before speaking so softly that only the ruler himself could hear. 
 
 “ There is only one rug in my possession that would be fitting of someone with tastes such as yours, ” the salesman whispered. “ I dare not show it to anyone other than my most trusted associates and your majesty himself. If you would, please dismiss everyone save your guards and most loyal servants so that I may show it to you in confidence. ” 
 
 Thinking on this request, the king was insulted that the salesman would ask such a thing of him, but his curiosity and greed swayed his judgment. It was likely, in his mind, that if the salesman truly did have something of unparalleled quality hidden among these eye sores, he would want to keep it secret. The best way to keep a secret was either through its controlled release or simply doing away with anyone who happened to learn of it. The first option was the most likely. This line of logic brought some respect and credibility towards the salesman in the king's mind. Enough that he respected the man's wishes and dismissed all but two of his men. Two men that only spoke when they were spoken to and chose even those words with great chariness. 
 
 “ I must admit your majesty, that what I have for you is much less a rug as it is a carpet. This carpet is the only one of its kind. The first and last work of a man said to possess the fingers of a god. Woven into its fibers are precious metals and herbs of an exquisite quality. The dyes were collected from only the purest of sources. Each thread was meticulously groomed to provide the softest and most secure weave possible. Some say that within this very carpet lies the soul of that man. His spirit! ” the salesman claimed as his men swapped the pieces on display. “ I can not attest to that final fact. What I can assure you of, however, is the unusual qualities of this fine piece. ” 
 
 “ Ha! Unusual you say? ” the king chortled. 
 
 “ Yes! One, such as yourself, would dare say that it was magical! ” the salesman replied with equal enthusiasm. 
 
 “ I've had men killed for less outrageous claims! ” the king threatened. “ You are wasting my time! I will take my leave of you if there is nothing more substantial among your wares. ” 
 
 “ Did your majesty not request a magical carpet? ” the merchant questioned. 
 
 “ I did, merely as a joke, for I know that such a thing simply does n't exist! ” he replied. 
 
 “ What if I told you that it did? That such a specimen existed before your very eyes if only you would reach out and seize it! ” the salesman continued. “ This carpet is more capable than any other! Those who have stood upon its back have been said to fly! Flight! Can you even imagine such a thing? As you accumulated your vast wealth, did you once think that such an opportunity would pass you by? ” 
 
 “ Tell me, since you are so sure of yourself and your product, how exactly does it achieve flight? ” the king asked. 
 
 “ Through the purity of one's heart. A mind unclouded. Only he who has found true peace, he who empties himself of the world can fly, ” the merchant answered plainly. “ Those who are incapable of this will remain upon the Earth as a stone. Unable to soar with the birds and bound to the Earth though the means to fly lays limp in their hands. ” 
 
 The king, thinking himself fit for this magical device, purchased it immediately. His mind drew upon thoughts that he had as a child, as all children do, of soaring through the sky. He could n't let the opportunity pass him by. If these were the requirements, such a feat would be as simple as breathing for him, or so he thought. Later that night, as the merchants left the city in their caravan, the king leaped from the top of his palace with carpet in hand. It merely blanketed the gruesome sight of his death upon the listless sands. 
 
 -255
