What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

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Free-Wrench
SOLVED: Adult Fiction
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SOLVED. Steampunk/fantasy YA pipe worker travels to find cure for mother's illness. [s]
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*spoilers below*
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*SPOILERS*
The mom's illness seem to have qualities like cancer (which does not seem to be known about in this world), and I think (?) the cure might be some sort of flower that can be found on the mainland. I remember the protagonist travels on a hot air balloon to the mainland, then hops onto a train, which, as it travels through the land closer to sea level, and terrible-looking fog covers the landscape outside the train. The interaction between the protagonist and the mainland officials escorting her seems to be strained, with a lot of suspicion from the officials and questions from the protagonist.