Chapter 30: The Merope

The strange domed roof of the city changes colour as the day progresses. The false sky, which was predominantly black with small pinpricks of fake starlight at night, changes colour as the day progresses. Different hues of blue in the morning give way to reds in the afternoon. I suppose it is possible to tell the time of day by observing the colour of the false sky.

The city is a hive of activity during the day. Tambara is quite proud of her city and delights in telling us how it works. The city’s social structure operates on a caste system. Tambara is a member of the highest caste, the Kwanza. Selected members of the Kwanza rule the city, although not the outdoor settlements beyond the surrounding farms. One of the reasons some Merope choose to move away from the city is to live free of the Merope caste system.

The tradespeople, teachers and educated citizens form the second level caste, the Pili. They enjoy privileges such as living in larger and better maintained housing than those of the third caste. Tambara estimates there are about one hundred Kwanza, and six hundred Pili, among the sixty thousand population.

At the bottom of the hierarchy are those of the third level caste, the Tatu. It’s the Tatu who do all the menial tasks and hard labouring. Few Tatu receive more than a basic education, yet they form all but one percent of the city’s population. Unlike the Kwanza and Pili, the members of the Tatu aren’t allowed to enter the zones reserved for the higher castes other than to work.

Ikaroa and Ihapera are shocked at the social inequalities apparent in the city’s lifestyle. Makareta and Defina35 are less surprised having experienced a similar hierarchy in Thurn. What seems strange is that Whina and Emere are also unmoved by the inequality they see around them. However, I recall that they have experienced the falseness of Atenex social equality. It is clear that they were expelled from their village under a thinly disguised ploy to rid the village of any potential troublemakers. Atenex are allowed to question the wisdom of their leaders as long as such questions can be safely ignored. Both Whina and Emere show a tenacity that would mark them as a danger to their village elders’ grip on power.

“The Merope have technology that would greatly benefit Thurn,” observes Cassandra. “Their horseless vehicles are a miracle of transportation.”

“Hmm. We could propose a trading arrangement to gain knowledge of the technology,” I reply. “But what has Thurn to offer in exchange?”

“Metalwork,” says Defina35, who has been listening to our conversation. “The machines in the workshop we stayed in last night are made of poor quality metal. It wouldn’t surprise me if most of those machines were broken. I don’t think the horseless wagons you have been marvelling over are as reliable as out hosts would like us to believe. Look at the state of that one over there.”

I know relatively little about the finer arts of metalwork. However, Defina35 is highly skilled in the trade. Although the work Defina35 did in Thurn was decorative jewellery, body ornaments and trinkets, I don’t doubt that she could manufacture something much larger given the right metals and tools. If nothing else, it at least provides us with something to offer in exchange ... assuming the Merope are interested in a trade agreement.

“Why is your city built underground?” I ask Tambara when I fail to see any obvious reason for doing so.

“A combination of ancient lore and practical need,” replies Tambara. “Those who were roused from the hibernation chambers came from a world plagued by fierce storms and extreme weather, so they decided to build underground. Also, our technology works better if it is sheltered from rain. Of course, not everything can be provided without sunlight or rain, so we have encouraged our younger population to venture outside. Some even prefer to live outside despite the danger from wild beasts.”

“We haven’t seen any animals large enough to pose any danger,” says Makareta.

“Nor are you likely to see any near the city. The river is home to two species of aggressive beasts capable of overturning a boat. In the dense jungle live treedwelling apes who will attack if they are hungry. And then there are smaller poisonous creatures who seem immune to our defensive scents. Fortunately they rarely attack us unless they are provoked.”

I notice that Cassandra is absorbing all this information with meticulous detail. Her memory is far better than mine, so I don’t doubt that she’ll be able to recall most of what we have learned about Merope at a later date.

“If Mikaere has been sent back to the other side of the gorge, do you wish to rejoin him as soon as we can?” I ask Ikaroa, mindful that her mate has been deported from Merope.

“That isn’t necessary. Mikaere made his own choice when he abandoned us on the far side of the gorge. Unlike your relationship with Cassandra, Mikaere and I feel no great attachment or responsibility for the other. Atene pairing is simply one of a male having sexual ownership over a female. I am forbidden from fucking another Atene male, but our customs and laws are less clear about sex with other races.”

“When we left Atene you thought that you might be pregnant,” says Cassandra. “How long before you will know for sure?”

“I am due to be in heat in another week,” replies Ikaroa. “My earlier claim was aimed at discouraging Mikaere from abandoning us. I mistakenly believed that he wouldn’t leave the group if he thought I was expecting his child. Clearly I was wrong. Do not worry about me. Besides, Ihapera is relieved that Mikaere has gone. He has never given up on his intention of claiming Ihapera for his harem.”

“I thought an Atene female couldn’t be forced into a pairing if she was pregnant?” I observe.

“That’s true. However, unless you plan on using Ihapera as a breeding sow, she will eventually be eligible for a male to claim her.”

Our tour of the city finishes in midafternoon. We are all suitably impressed by what we have seen. However, Defina35’s earlier observation about the poor quality of Merope metalwork has been obvious on more than one occasion. I eventually raise the subject with Tambara when we come across a broken horseless carriage.

“There are no sources of metal in the lands around us,” admits Tambara. “Our senate refuses to trade with the Hrill and Atene. Consequently we must recycle our metal whenever we can. However, as you can see, the results are not always successful.”

“Thurn has mines providing iron, copper, lead and tin,” I say. “And we have factories that can manufacture metal products. Has your senate considered trading with Thurn?”

“The senate regard Thurn as a too primitive to be worth the trouble of establishing trade over such a long distance. Besides, how would you transport the metal you produce?”

An excellent question to which I have no immediate answer. The rugged terrain between Thurn and Merope makes overland trade impractical. Goods would need to be shipped by sea, but even that would present problems. Thurn’s mines and factories are well inland, and I’ve no idea where goods could be unloaded in Merope.

While the Merope’s underground city is impressive, it also highlights the deep divisions between the three castes that make up the population. The spacious and well maintained zones reserved for the Kwanza caste are a stark contrast to the cramped and rundown areas reserved for the Tatu. While those of the Kwanza and Pili castes seem willing to talk to us, the Tatu avoid us whenever they can.

“I’ve found somewhere you can stay until the senate is ready to meet with you,” says Tambara. “The building is adjacent to the breeding pens, but it’s the best I can do for so many of you. We don’t get many visitors, and those we do usually travel alone or in pairs.”