The Carpet Makers

by Andreas Eschbach

Published 1 May 2005
Since the time of pre-history, carpet makers have tied intricate knots to form carpets for the court of the Emperor. These carpets are made from the hairs of the weaver's wives and daughters; they are so detailed and fragile that each carpet maker finishes only a single carpet in his entire lifetime. This art has descended from father to son since the beginning of time itself. But one day the empire of the God Emperor vanishes and strangers begin to arrive from the stars to follow the trace of the hair carpets. What these strangers discover is beyond all belief, more than anything they would have ever imagined...