The Spires of Kurrong

By Malcolm Wells

For many generations the people of the spires have believed they were the only living human race left on their planet. They had been told that Daemons had inhabited the planet’s surface and driven their ancestors into the domed cities.

When Markus and Filona fall in love, they break the strict laws of the domes. Markus is son of the Prefect of Alpha Dome, Filona an innkeepers daughter and their union is forbidden.

The couple flee to the planet surface, despite thoughts of the dangers they might face. What they find there will astound them. The decisions they make for their future will have a dramatic effect on the whole planet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morris Publishing Australia
• Release date: Jan 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9780994246318

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The well-dressed young man squeezed the hand of his pretty partner. I will kill you first if you wish. That way it will be swift and painless.

She smiled sweetly, No, we will jump together. I am not afraid to die as long as we are together.

Filona grasped his hand as they peered warily over the edge of their world. What they saw took their breath away. Bathed in the first rays of the dawn sun, the underworld was not as dark and foreboding, as they had feared. In places, the lush tree canopy gave way to rock faces just like the spires on which the twin cities stood. A stream of precious water ran unharnessed through a carpet of green vegetation. They stared in awe for what seemed an eternity; in reality, only two minutes had passed.

We must be quick, Markus informed her, I cannot maintain this gap in the force field for long.

The jagged rocks at the bottom of the spire were not so inviting. They knew that even if by some miracle one still lived after such a leap, more danger lurked amongst those trees. The City Elders told of daemons that roamed the dense jungles of the underworld.

Will the Dark Ones gnaw our bones when we are dead, Markus?

He shrugged, When we are dead, Filona, it will not matter. Our bodies will be empty shells once our souls depart. We will dwell together in the gardens of Aphelion forever."

They came together for a last embrace in their mortal bodies. A harsh cry shattered their happiness.

Hey, do you two have a licence to do that? Where are your permits to be outside the city? The perimeter patrol had arrived sooner than Markus had anticipated.

We must do it quickly, cried Markus.

They moved forward, preparing to leap into oblivion. A loud humming noise filled the air, followed by a flash of blinding light. The couple froze in time, cocooned in the moment that the bolt of light had hit them. The guard who had fired the snare gun sheathed his weapon. He stepped back in time to the second he had fired the shot and manacled his prisoners before releasing them from the time capsule. He dragged them away from the precipice and sealed the rent in the force field. Now then, you two will need to answer my... hey, aren't you the son of the Prefect?

Markus knew there was no point denying his identity. The men of the Inner Zone always sported short hair and drab uniform trousers and shirts. This young man’s blonde flowing locks and fine clothes signalled that he was a member of the Outer Zone. Markus was a tall man, with a striking physique that told of good diet and regular exercise. His piercing blue eyes and handsome features turned heads wherever he went. Yes, I am Markus, son of Lord Denva.

The guard smiled and looked at Filona, And you are an Inner Zoner by the looks of you. There was a note of derision in his voice, but his face betrayed the lust that the petite young woman stirred in him. The plain tunic she wore served only to highlight her natural beauty. The cut of her short red hair framed the natural beauty of her face.

The guard looked back to Markus and laughed. Boy, are you in trouble, leaving the city without a permit, consorting with a member of the inner zone, tampering with the force field, resisting arrest…

Markus’ chin lifted in defiance. You should show more respect for the son of the Prefect.

The guard glared at him. I have no respect for those who break the law. I should have saved your father the embarrassment and let you jump.

Why not do so now?

It's more than my job is worth. The command centre will have logged the fact that I fired my snare gun. I must justify that by returning with prisoners. He looked the aristocrat up and down. Why would a man in your position be prepared to give up everything for an Inner Zoner?

Markus cursed the restraints. He wanted desperately to wipe the smirk from the man’s face.

Perhaps if you had jumped straight away instead of stopping to admire the view, we would have arrived too late. Now you must answer to the Elders. I vouch your father will not be amused.

Nor will my father be amused when I inform him of the way you behaved towards me.

The man sneered contemptuously and pushed him into the small cage at the rear of the patrol van, alongside Filona. The guards shared a private joke as they secured the cage and climbed into the cab. Markus cursed his stupidity. It had been a dumb idea. The City Guards were a law unto themselves. It would be pointless to complain about their treatment. Besides, his father would be in no mood to listen to petty complaints.

CHAPTER 2

The Lord Denva slammed a fist on his desk, sending papers flying. What on Kurrong possessed you? You have brought shame and dishonour on your family. The line of succession is broken. I can never approve your nomination for Prefect with this blemish on your record.

You are well aware that I have no wish to become Prefect when you retire.

Your wishes are of no consequence. The law decrees that son shall follow father. It is vital for the maintenance of stability in the system. Such petty rebellion is inexcusable. You know full well that it is forbidden for an inhabitant of the Outer Zone to consort with an Inner Zoner.

I love Filona…

You love her! There are far more important things than love when you are the son of the Prefect, roared his father. We are responsible for maintaining order in the city. If we start allowing people from the two zones to intermarry then we invite chaos into our lives.

I fail to see how that can be.

It is not your place to understand. One day you will be told the reasons; until then you will obey your father. He glared at the head-strong young man Where did you even meet this girl?

Her father owns the tavern where I drink with my friends, Markus admitted sheepishly.

Lord Denva groaned, and then his features relaxed into the semblance of a smile. He placed a hand on his son’s shoulder in what he took to be a show of affection. Listen Markus, a few secret dalliances do no harm, but we use discretion. We also take precautions not to produce unlawful offspring. We certainly do not flaunt our affairs in public. This is just a passing whim.

His son lifted his chin defiantly. Your sermon is wasted on me. I will have no other for my life partner. Filona and I will be together, even if it is in Aphelion.

You are a stubborn young fool. Have you learnt nothing from the Elders? The gates of Aphelion are not open to those who take their own lives. Your soul would wander for eternity through the wilderness of the underworld, tortured by daemons.

Markus knew it was pointless to argue. There would be no swaying his father, for that stubborn streak ran in the family. The Elders were the Guardians of all knowledge and passed down their teachings from generation to generation. No one dared dispute the validity of their rulings.

The domed cities of Kurrong had remained the same for many generations. The stability of the cities relied on maintaining the exact number of people that they could comfortably sustain. To control these numbers, they developed the Population Stability Program and it was strictly enforced. It compelled all men and women to accept the partners chosen for them by the Elders. Couples received a licence for two children, one boy, and one girl. Offspring not complying with this law went to a couple failing to produce their quota. Lord Denva, as head of the Council of Elders, was bound to see that the people upheld the law. No one was exempt, least of all the aristocracy, who must lead by example.

Am I free to go, Father?

You may go for now. You will appear before the Elders at the next meeting. I cannot show favour to my son and heir. I trust they will look favourably on your previous good record. At the least, you will be placed under house arrest until you see the error of your ways.

What will happen to Filona?

The girl will be cast into the underworld as an example to others of her kind.

She wanted to cast herself into the underworld, but the City Guards prevented her from doing so.

One action is breaking the law, the other is upholding it. Now get out of my sight before I lose my temper. I will hear no more of this inconsequential female.

Markus could barely contain his anger as he strode along the stark white corridors of the Council Chambers. He realised now what a futile gesture their suicide would have been. The matter would have been hushed up to avoid embarrassment for the Prefect. Two lucky couples would have received a licence for an extra child, to restore the population balance. The tragic lovers doomed to become a meaningless forgotten statistic. Still, they would have been together, wherever they ended up. Better to be together in the miserable underworld than to endure the hell of the domes without her.

An unusual sight interrupted his musings. A store room, normally kept under lock and key with access restricted to the Elders, was open. Curious to see what was inside, Markus entered the room. What he found there made him gasp. Shelves of books lined the walls, more than he had ever seen before in one place. He had always understood that there were no written records available. The Elders passed on the history of the domed cities in verbal form. There was never any mention of the time before the domes. He sat in awe, leafing through the huge tomes. There was so much to absorb and to understand. These books told of life on the surface. They spoke of a world he did not recognise.

Markus pored over the books, deeply engrossed. Fading light made him lift his head. The sun had still been high in the sky when he had entered the room. The lengthening shadows outside told him that dusk was now approaching fast. When he finally replaced the books on the shelves, he had more questions than answers. Slamming the door behind him, he hastened to the quarters of his old tutor Darrius, one of the few Elders whom Markus liked. Darrius was a kind, and gentle old man; unlike most of the Council members.

Ah Markus, my favourite pupil, what brings you here?

Why should I need a reason to visit my old mentor?

Because I never see you unless there is a problem. This time I understand you have an insurmountable problem, young man.

Then you have heard about my arrest?

Darrius shook his head and tutted. Word gets around very quickly, as you are well aware. It is worse when the news involves the son of the Prefect. Why must you always rebel against the system, Markus? Is it not easier to conform; to do as you are told?

I confess I am conflicted, my friend. Sometimes I feel that I should honour the memory of my mother and the wishes of my father by fulfilling my destiny. At other times, I wonder if there is not more to life than living in the confinement of the dome. I look at the sky above us and wonder how far it extends beyond the domes. Today I saw the land below the spire and wondered if there really were daemons there.

Darrius frowned. You doubt the teachings of your Elders?

It was one of the Elders who taught me that I should learn to think for myself; to be a leader not a follower.

Darrius laughed to hear his own words used against him in an argument. It was my job to prepare you to be the next Prefect. I did not know I was creating such a free spirit.

Is that such a bad thing, Darrius?

In a closed environment such as ours it can be. But I think it would serve you well in the outside world.

So, is there still human life outside of the domes, old man?

Darrius gave him a quizzical look. Why do you ask that?

I saw some books today, books that contained many wonders. They showed life on the surface before our people retreated to the domes. It made me wonder why our ancestors would have surrendered so meekly to the daemons. If life was so good down there, was it not worth fighting for?

Darrius poured two glasses of wine and offered one to Markus, who refused the proffered drink. He wanted to keep a clear head right now, there were so many questions he wanted answered.

I cannot answer your questions right now. The time is coming when your father will retire and then you will get the answers you desire.

Markus’ eyes narrowed. It confirmed his suspicion that the Elders were hiding something from the citizens. Time is something I do not have, Darrius, I need answers now. My beloved Filona is to be executed and I want to help her. I will not bow to my father’s wishes and pair with another. My father has already told me I am unfit to inherit the title of Prefect.

The Elder sat at his desk, sipped his wine. He appeared to be deep in thought as he gazed at his former student. I should not tell you this, Markus. If questioned, I will deny it.

The young man promised not to reveal to anyone what he heard.

There is a way you and your lover can get safely to the surface if you wish. I cannot guarantee your safety once you are there, but it may be the only answer to your dilemma.

Then there are humans living on the surface?

All I will say is that it may not be as perilous down there as you have been led to believe. I will give you instructions on how to reach the surface, if that is your desire.

Markus was excited. You must tell me more, Darrius.

I cannot. I have said enough. I only offer you this solution because I can see that you will never be happy here in the dome. Better that you take your chances on the surface.

When Markus said farewell he was carrying a crude map. At last, his future was truly in his own hands.

CHAPTER 3

Markus hurried through the beautifully maintained wide streets of the Outer Zone. He flashed his identi-disk to the disinterested guards at the check point. Everyone knew the son of the Prefect in these parts and they knew better than to question his motives for going to the Inner Zone. Besides, they were less interested in those who chose to enter, than those Inner Zone citizens who attempted to travel the other way. Markus was just grateful that his movements had not yet been restricted because of his arrest.

He made his way down the dimly lit maze of laneways to the small tavern where Filona lived with her parents. Condemned prisoners were allowed to return home to await their fate. It gave them time to say their farewells to family and friends. In the domed cities, there was no need to incarcerate such miscreants for there was nowhere that a criminal could hide for long.

Markus did not receive the warm greeting for which he had hoped. Her father would have slammed the door in his face had he not been the son of the Prefect. He received almost as cold a welcome from Filona. She led him to a place where they could sit and talk and not be overheard.

What are you doing here? she snapped. We are in enough trouble without you being caught here.

I have come to tell you we must leave at once, he told her. I could not bear to be paired with another, and you will die should we stay.

Filona saw no way of avoiding her fate. Why bother to run? We were stupid to attempt suicide. It was a moment of madness. We should both have accepted the future to which we were born.

I cannot believe that, Filona. If we can get away from here there is a chance we can live as we please.

You are mad, Markus. Where would we go? Travel between the two domes is forbidden, except for those traders with a licence. Not even aristocrats such as you are permitted to travel without one. Even if we were allowed, we could never stay there for it would upset the population balance.

We can go down to the underworld.

There is only one way down, and we agree that it is no longer an option. The underworld is a place only for the dead and the daemons that rule there. Even if there were a safe way to the surface, there is nothing there for the living.

That may not be true. There was a hope in his tone that pricked her interest.

It is what we have always been taught.

"Today I have seen books and maps that show something the Elders have never revealed to us. I saw the way that our people used to live