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Morcenx. He’d been the family physician since our parents landed on Mazarile, before we were born. He’d been there as Adrana and I grew up, and he’d been there when the plague took our mother. The plague was what turned my father against men like Captain Rackamore, because he reckoned they were meddling in things that were better off being locked up, but as far as I know no one ever proved the plague came out of a bauble. None of that stopped
his own judgement. And it came to a head in the Hall of History one Forgeday evening in spring 1799. Father had gone to see what
make a good showing among all the monied bigwigs in the Mazarile chamber of commerce, he’d brought both of us along for the evening. We were meant to be on our best behaviour. Prim and proper educated young ladies. Adrana
how much they’ve grown.” Doctor Morcenx limped over. He was a pepperpot-shaped man who always wore black, and too many layers of it. “Always a pleasure,
little tune. Doctor Morcenx was always humming little tunes, as if his own thoughts
“Your daughters are a credit to you,” he said, buttering his words until they were soggy. “They must be a great consolation,
Mister Ness, and it’s to your credit. As are your daughters. Fine specimens, both. It’s been my pleasure and my privilege to have seen them through their development.” He carried on with the humming, and started digging his
said. “I’m eighteen and Fura’s not far off it.” “It’s all right,” I said, allowing the doctor to take out his bag of sweets and pop a crystallised ginger into my palm. “I’ve been meaning to visit,” Doctor Morcenx said to our father. “I wanted to talk to you about something that might be of interest
child,” Adrana said. “And I know what you’ve got in mind. It’s that drug, isn’t it? The one that slows things down? Well, you can—” “There’s no need for that tone,” Father said, cutting across
Fura soon will be.” “Apologise to the doctor right now,” Father said. “I won’t,” Adrana answered. “You can’t make me, just as you can’t make me enjoy this stupid evening with the stupid captain and all your stupid friends, trying to pretend they haven’t blown half their fortunes.” “I can have