EVERNA The Emperor's New Clothes, Retold by Alistair Kane, A Fantasy Story

EVERNA The Emperor's New Clothes, Retold by Alistair Kane

Once upon a time, in the Empire of Arcadia, there lived the flamboyant and frivolous Dulcimer Geine the Third - a pompous emperor whose infatuation with high fashion knew no bounds. 

Whether it was silken tunics or velvet cloaks, the emperor spared no expense in acquiring and flaunting the most exquisite garments known to man. As for matters of state, warfare or culture - it mattered little to him, for the pursuit of his decadent sartorial desires was all that truly mattered.

One fateful day, a pair of cunning swindlers set foot upon the gilded streets of Myrcalia, the capital city of Arcadia. They were the finest weavers, they claimed, capable of conjuring materials so magnificent that they could be worn only by those of immaculate intelligence and skill. 

The colors were vibrant, and the designs were otherworldly, but the true hallmark of their work was a cloak so delicate and intricate that it would vanish into thin air - or so they claimed.

As soon as the emperor heard the weavers' claim, his greed for knowledge and pride in his own intellect caught hold of him. "If their fabric is truly as unique and remarkable as they say, I could use it to root out any unsuitable advisors and reward the intelligent ones," mused Dulcimer Geine III aloud, as he stroked his well-groomed beard with a satisfied grin.

Soon enough, the emperor paid the swindlers an exorbitant sum of money to start weaving, so curious was he about their mysterious materials.

The weavers, in turn, relished their newfound fortune and set up their working space with great fanfare. They put up looms and pretended to weave with fervor, shouting orders and making obnoxious demands for the most expensive silk and gold thread available. 

But, unbeknownst to Dulcimer and his entourage, the looms were empty all along, and the swindlers deftly stashed away the rich materials into their own bags with sleight of hand so dexterous that none could detect the ploy. And yet, they continued to 'weave' all through the night, fueled by the emperor's largesse and their own hubris.

As the emperor waited for the weavers' progress, a creeping fear took hold of him. Perhaps a man of lesser intelligence or competence would not be able to perceive the true nature of the fabric. He fervently wanted to avoid such a disaster, though he would never admit doubt of his own abilities. It was decided then that the wise old prime minister would be the first to inspect the materials.

With a flutter of his silk robes, the prime minister set out towards the weavers' workshop, where they still worked away at their empty looms. 

Upon arriving, the minister gazed upon the woven air with mounting confusion, but he was careful to conceal his mystification. "Oh, my," he muttered under his breath. "What a marvel! The depth of this pattern and the vibrancy of the colors. Truly remarkable." 

The weavers grinned at each other like hardhearted bandits, having reinforced their scheme with the minister's fraudulent approval.

Louis du Barry, the aged prime minister, paid close attention as the swindling weavers expounded on their colorful threads and intricate designs. He hungrily absorbed every word, committing them to memory before returning to the emperor to relay their progress. 

The swindlers naturally demanded more funds - further gold and silk - to continue the weaving, slyly pocketing the sum and continuing to pose before their empty looms. 

Soon enough, the emperor sent another loyal official to investigate the weavers' work. But, like the prime minister before him, the official saw nothing but naked looms. Enraged, he stormed back to the emperor, fearing he had become a bumbling fool. 

"It cannot be me," he thought, "it must be this cursed job I hold. I mustn't ever reveal that I'm unfit for this." 

And so, he too feigned wonder at the invisible fabric, boasting of its exquisite detailing and brilliant hues while doing his best to mask the mounting panic that surged within him.

The emperor himself demanded to see this magnificent fabric and invited his entire court to follow him. Upon arriving at the workshop, the swindlers continued to weave with vigor at their bare looms, grinning in delight at the deception successfully pulled over the eyes of their audience.

"Behold!" cried one of the more vocal courtiers, "Is that not a sight to behold?" The others quickly chimed in with affirmations, certain that their peers could see the elaborate finery before them.

But Dulcimer, doubt gnawing at his heart, found himself squinting and straining his eyes. "What is this?" he muttered, "I can see nothing. Am I truly so unfit to rule?" The weight of the possibility crushed down upon him, sending him spiraling into despair. 

But still, he could not bear to admit his own inadequacies. "Indeed, it is a most exquisite fabric," he declared, forcing a broad smile towards the empty loom.

The courtiers, ever eager to please their sovereign, babbled in agreement, all nodding and murmuring their approval. And thus, on the eve of the great procession, they proclaimed, "Heed the announcement! Behold, the emperor's new clothes are now complete!"

As dawn broke, the emperor made his way to the weavers' workshop, eager to see the grand clothes they had fashioned for him. The two swindlers bowed deeply as he entered, their eyes twinkling with malicious glee.

"Your imperial majesty does us great honor," one of them simpered, while the other held up a delicate fabric as if it were a fragile pastry.

"Here, your majesty, are the britches," the swindler declared reverently, gesturing with both hands. The other followed suit, unfurling a shimmering robe with equal ceremony.

"And now the mantle," he murmured, holding up the last of the garments. "They're as light as feathers, your majesty, near weightless."

The second swindler urged, "Please, your imperial majesty, do disrobe so we can outfit you with the magnificent new raiment in front of the grand mirror."

The emperor's attendants moved to assist him with his current clothes, allowing the swindlers to carry out their pretense with meticulous attention to detail. They fussed over their handiwork, adjusting every hem and seam to form a perfect fit on the emperor's body.

"Gentlemen!" the first swindler finally called to the confused courtiers. "Behold! Is it not the very epitome of perfection?"

The courtiers gasped in unison at the emperor's stunning attire, openly impressed by the supposedly brilliant craftsmanship. "Goodness, how fine the colors!" "What a cut!" they exclaimed in awe.

The master of ceremonies bustled in to remind the emperor of the procession's looming start. "Your imperial majesty, the canopy is ready, and waiting for you."

"Announce that I am ready," the emperor commanded, his face radiant with pride as he turned one final time to the looking glass, feigning a satisfied appreciation of his alluring new robes.

Dulcimer strode confidently through the bustling streets, the grand canopy held aloft by his attendants. The citizens marveled at his attire, hailing him with resounding admiration.

"Truly, the finest clothes he has ever worn!" one exclaimed in wonder.

But amidst the fervor, a young child piped up, voice clear as a bell. "But...but he hasn't got anything on!" she exclaimed, oblivious to the astonishing significance of her words.

"Shhhh!" her father shushed her hastily, casting nervous glances around the gathered throng. But the whispers had already begun to spread, a quiet murmur rippling through the crowds like a dappled breeze.

"He hasn't got anything on," a voice whispered, low and insistent.

A chorus of agreement echoed the sentiment, loud enough to reach the emperor's ears. His heart sank as he realized the truth of the matter, that he had been duped by the smooth-talking swindlers.

"I must go through with it now...the procession and all," the emperor resolved grimly, ashamed and embarrassed by the charade. 

He stood tall and proud, an illusion in place of finery. The chamberlains followed tacitly, holding onto the imaginary raiment with dutiful solemnity.

Only when Dulcimer returned to Levides palace, he gave out a sigh of relief. He decided not to hunt the swindlers down and punish Prime Minister Louis and all the palace officers and attendants. This knowledge of the true human nature was a precious lesson paid and learned.

Thus, the bards and minstrels in Arcadia and throughout the Aurelia continent sang and told two stories about Emperor Dulcimer Geine. 

One was about the emperor's new, invisible clothes. And the second was about Dulcimer's great wisdom and achievements after that humiliating incident.

"Dulcimer was so great and wise an emperor, that only the pure of heart can see through his robe of false pride."