Memory of Morning

by Susan Sizemore

  I folded my hands primly at my waist and kept my expression as serious as possible. "Of course not, sir. Is he in some sort of trouble?" I repeated, though I doubted it was any of my business.

  "I am told he nearly started a riot this evening. There is some tension in the neighborhood from his accusing immigrants of deliberately bringing the plague with them from their home island."

  "Why would anyone do that?"

  "The Gracer claims it's to spread the sickness so the newcomers can take over jobs from the locals. There is some mumbling in the neighborhood that he might be right. A faction of immigrants gathered to debate this with the locals in Madder Square."

  There had been plague riots before, and massacres of innocents blamed for the Red Fever. One of the reasons for the war with Framin came from their belief that the plague originated in the Empire and that we had spread it deliberately to weaken them. We had never accused them of the same, though some people probably thought this to be true. I hoped no one really blamed anyone else for spreading the disease now. How could that fool Gracer accuse anyone of such a thing? Why were the Gracers trying to turn back the clock on every front they could think of?

  "And how close to a riot did this debate come?"

  "A few rocks were thrown. There was some cursing. The local guards managed to get everyone to disperse, but the tension had no business being stirred up at all. I've been asked to point this out to Gracer Moor, cleric to cleric, with firmness and the support of the Goddess of Justice."

  So, someone was trying to rein the Gracers in. This was good to know. "I could conduct you to Cleric Moor's bedside, but I doubt it will do you any good at the moment. I prescribed poppy for his pain and stress."

  "And to keep him quiet?"

  "It would seem that you have dealt with Gracers before, sir."

  He broke into a full smile. "As have you, I believe."

  I nodded.

  "May I see Cleric Moor anyway? Perhaps he will not be asleep."

  "Gracers are rather stubborn," I said.

  He nodded.

  I led him to Cleric Moor's bed. To my surprise the Gracer was awake, though just barely. I left the Apprehender with Moor, though I cautioned him not to tax the injured man too greatly for I had already stitched him up as much as I intended for this evening. the Apprehender chuckled as I left.

  After this, I went to the walk-in admitting desk where there was nothing for me to do. I left word that I would be in my bedroom for a bit of sleep. Of course I checked the other wards first, taking special care to have a look at the plague patients in the isolation ward. Not that there was anything I could do for someone suffering the disease. One either recovers, goes mad, or dies. These people had been vaccinated after admission to the ward. The hope was that this would soften the effects of the Red Fever, but so far this experiment showed no signs of helping. I wondered how much of my own blood now flowed in these peoples' veins and silently apologized that it was no help to them. Though I did have the thought that the patients and I were family of a sort now.

  I was ridiculously depressed when I entered my quarters. It was fortunate for my mood that Star was there waiting for me. She didn't take up much space no matter how small the bed. The Gray Women kept therapy pets, and had made no complaint to my bringing my dog to share the room with me.

  I sat down and she jumped into my lap, giving my face a few licks. It was not so much her affection that snapped me out of my melancholy and vanity but her familiar whine that told me she needed to go outdoors. This taught me that my place in the world was to see to my dog's needs.

  I fetched paper gloves and a couple of small composting bags, in case she had more than urination in mind, and put on her leash. Star does not like wearing a leash - well, I certainly see her objections - but leashing was a strictly enforced city ordinance in Loudon. Stray dogs were rounded up and killed, and I was taking no chances of such a thing happening to my Star.

  We went out through a rear door. I had a key for this door, but the lock was so loose that a key really wasn't necessary. Star led me around to the front of the building.

  "Want to stretch your legs some, do you?" I asked as she pulled me to the right and up the street. I was sleepy and shouldn't be away from the Home for long, but the night breeze did feel good brushing my face.

  We took only a step before Star growled. A man rose from a seat on the stairs of the Home's main entrance.

  "May I join you?" the young Apprehender asked. "The streets around here are not as safe as you imagine, ma'am," he added after I hesitated for a moment. He looked down at the still-growling dog. "Sweetheart, you would be a snack for some of the curs the mugging men bring with them."

  I nodded my agreement and he fell in step beside me. Since I accepted his presence, Star left off growling. She'd be begging for him to pet her at any moment, affection hound that she was.

  "Why were you lingering by the door?" I asked as we reached the end of the block. "Do you fear some trouble over Cleric Moor's presence? Or do you worry about the plague patients' safety?"

  "Perhaps I was waiting for you," he suggested.

  "Your tone is most pleasant and teasing, sir, but do not try to protect my sensibilities from any thought of danger. I am not that sort of gentlewoman."

  "What sort of gentlewoman are you, then?"

  "One who can dodge questions as easily as you can ask them," I replied. "Apprehenders are notoriously curious, but I have had practice with one such as you."

  "You have had encounters with the law, ma'am? For what were you apprehended?"

  I could not be offended, his tone was too lightly playful. "It was a scandalous incident, sir. It involved a spilt cup of tea and a gentleman's injured dignity."

  "I am shocked that you can bear to speak of it."

  "Confessing one's crimes is good for the soul, I am told."

  We chatted nonsensically like this for several blocks, making our way through the double shadows thrown by the moons, until such time as Star decided it was time to evacuate her bowels.

  "Do you know where the nearest composting receptacle is?" I asked after I filled the waste bag.

  "Yes, I do. Allow me to convey Star's deposit there for you."

  "Sir, I do not know you well enough to let you dump my dog's shit for me."

  His shout of laughter was loud enough to wake the neighborhood. At least, a light appeared in a window of the building we were standing in front of.

  He stepped back a pace and gave me a formal bow. His smile showed deep dimples. "Very well, ma'am. Since I may not perform this personal service for you, I will accompany you to the receptacle."

  We walked on, and I noticed how the lit street lamps began to grow farther apart as we approached Madder Square. "Does the glow moss suffer from plight?" I asked.

  He snorted. "I believe I mentioned that some rocks were thrown earlier."

  "Ah. But why...?"

  I understood more fully when a pair of large men, one holding the leash of a dog as big as me stepped out of the shadows ahead of us. Star yipped nervously. I took her up in my arms. The men looked us over. There was a moment of menacing tension. The one with the dog stepped forward.

  My companion stepped in front of me. "Good evening, gentlemen!" he said. He gestured toward me. I nodded to the men. "Have you met the newest physician treating patients at Mercy Home? Perhaps you or yours will have need of her services as some point."

  I liked this approach, an appeal to the needs of the men themselves. I also noticed that the apprehender turned to show his badge to the men.

  I pretended I wasn't frightened and held a hand out for the behemoth dog to sniff. I received a snuffle, and a tentative lick that soaked through the paper glove.

  "Hello, there," I said to the dog, and gave a smile to his handler.

  "Good evening, doctor," he said, grudgingly.

  "Good evening, gentlemen. Pardon us, but I need to return to work."

  I began to turn; though I really didn't
like the idea of putting my back to these men, it had to be done. I had forgotten my errand, but the apprehender snatched the waste bag from me and tossed it to one of the men. "You obviously know where you can deposit this. Thank you for helping us with it."

  We then walked back to Mercy Home. Swiftly. Every now and then one of us let out a stifled laugh.

  When we arrived by at the Home's main door, he took my hand for a moment. "You are such pleasant company that I could almost kiss you," he said.

  "And you are such pleasant company I could almost let you," I replied. But I scampered up the staircase and through the door before conversation or actions could go any further.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The next day was Songday, and Rassi's mother arrived early with two huge baskets of fresh-baked breads and rolls to share for breakfast. Syd Fisher tended to time her visits to the rental palace for Songday, so as not to offend the staff, who I swear would have preferred Tennit's mother-in-law be allowed in through the tradesman's entrance. Have I mentioned that the cook's name was Cook, and the butler was Mr. Butler? Loudon is truly the most conservative, old-fashioned place in the entire Empire. Of course, Mother and Aunt Gwin had to have a bit of an altercation about the appropriateness of hosting Mrs. Fisher the first time she visited, but after the Owls got a taste of the woman's baking they were as eager to greet her on Songdays as we Cliffs were.

  I informed people of my invitation to Captain Copper at breakfast, and was not surprised that the notion of taking in this visitor was considered a pleasing addition to our household. A famous war hero houseguest was agreed to be quite a feather in our caps. I phrased my reasons for the invitation as a kindness to a man who I admired in a professional sense, but, of course, there was teasing about my taking this chance to court the man at close quarters. I tingled with a certain amount of eagerness at his arrival. I also ignored the charges rather than denied them and tried to turn the conversation instead.

  "Has anyone received anything interesting in the post?" I asked.

  "A letter from Miss Apple just came," Mother said. "I do miss her."

  "Mother, please," Tennit said. "Our Miss Apple has a right to her summer holiday. Where did she and Professor Diamond travel this year?"

  "They are staying in Avan," she said. "She might as well have invited him to stay here if they aren't going to have a proper holiday. Professor Diamond might find Loudon diverting."

  "Oh, no, he would not!" Cousin Corle declared. "The man is a social and cultural radical. I like him well enough, but I like him at a distance this summer."

  "There's a mention of your book, Meggie," Mother said.

  "Really?" I perked up, then terror set in. "Professor Diamond doesn't like it, does he?"

  "On the contrary. Let me read what Miss Apple says: I should keep this as a surprise for Megere, but Diamond is much taken with her seafaring novel. In fact, he likes it so much that he has ordered several copies to be printed as a gift for her. I believe he also wishes to distribute copies to the best libraries and to use the story as teaching material in his autumn classes. He will write to Megere about this soon himself."

  I sat back in my seat, completely stunned.

  "We all told you it is good, Megere," Abethe said. "Now you have official confirmation of your writing skill."

  "Congratulations, Meggie," Cousin Corle said. She eyed Mother critically. "This novel will not appear anywhere near Loudon during the Season, will it?"

  "It takes a while to have books printed," Father said. "Perhaps Professor Diamond will have proofs sent to the house for Megere's approval, but there's no chance of any public infamy for my youngest for some months to come."

  "Well, that's all right then."

  I wasn't sure it was all right. I had never planned on seeking a wider audience for my book. I had written it for my own pleasure, and as an exercise to see if I could manage the fictional art form.

  "I wish the man had asked me," I said. I looked at my father. "Will you please write to the professor and ask him to keep whatever copies he has made up until he and I can speak in person about publication?" He nodded. "I will write him myself as well," I added.

  "But it's good!" Abethe said.

  "But it's mine!" I countered.

  She was thoughtful for a moment, then said. "I can see how you would not want the decision to publish taken out of your hands."

  I nodded. "But I am flattered," I had to confess.

  After breakfast we left for Songday services, and by the time we returned Captain Copper had arrived with his daughter. A footman acting as butler for the day had shown him into the green parlor, where we found him reading aloud to the little girl seated beside him on a sofa.

  I do not believe there was a woman among us whose heart did not melt at the sight of the fine figure of a man in his naval uniform so tenderly looking down on his child. He's mine! I wanted to shout as the chorus of silent "awws" went up around me.

  Captain Copper looked up, and stood, helping his daughter to her feet. She held his hand tightly and curtsied prettily as I stepped forward and made introductions between everyone in the room.

  Tea, conversation, and all the other social conventions followed throughout the rest of the day. I remember a discussion of finding a governess for the girl - it was Seeli who brought this subject up. And we made plans to take her shopping for new clothes. The household adjourned to the back garden and outdoor games for a while. Much to the ladies’, and especially my, annoyance, Captain Copper's attention was taken up by the gentlemen of the household, who seemed endlessly fascinated by the details of battles Copper had fought and won.

  I had been at some of those battles, and no one in my family had ever asked me a thing about them since I'd returned home from the sea.

  Since pouting is not something I like to indulge in for very long, I abandoned it to concentrate on a cutthroat game of Wicket, which I won.

  Captain Copper was prevailed upon to attend a reading of Legend of the Silver Moon with us after dinner. While the story is as old as the gray moon itself, the performers gave an excellent recital. And this was an acceptable entertainment to be seen and see at. The intermission was long enough for visits between boxes. I stayed put, though two of my suitors briefly came calling. I remained in our family box because this gave me the first chance to speak with Captain Copper, who also saw no reason to get up and walk about.

  He moved to the seat next to mine. "This has been the most pleasant day I have had since we docked in Seyemouth," he told me. "I have you to thank for that, Dr. Cliff."

  I blushed. "Thank you, sir. As you have no doubt noticed, my family is delighted to have your company."

  "And you have made my daughter equally welcome. I have been very worried about Doree of late."

  "She is also most welcome. We'll happily spoil her. I believe my cousin Seeli has taken a great liking to her."

  "Miss Seeli is very kind."

  "So she is."

  "The two of you look very alike."

  "We do. That is likely because her mother and my father are twins. But tell me, have you any news from the 'Runner? How goes the refitting of the ship while you have duties at the Admiralty? How are the crew? Does Mr. Waterman use his library subscription? What of Lieutenants Egg, Eel, and the rest?" How is Samel Swan was what I was thinking, but kept myself from asking.

  "You sound very homesick, Dr. Cliff."

  "Perhaps I am, sir," I admitted.

  "I certainly am. I am useless away from the water. Even more so now."

  He looked so woebegone I barely kept myself from reaching out and touching his arm. We were in too public a place for such a gesture.

  "Tell me about your crew, Captain Copper," I said. "I find gossip always takes my mind off my own cares."

  He sat back in his chair and gave me a summary of his crew's whereabouts and activities. I was pleased to hear of promotions, retirements, a marriage, the birth of puppies to Star's mother. I was delighted to hear of Mr. An
vil's application to officer training school, and, finally, news of Dr. Swan.

  "Since we eliminated the southern pirates, and there's the truce with Framin, Samel took the opportunity to visit his mother's estate on Corf. We think the Framin invaders still have a small force stationed in the port town, but they've withdrawn from the interior of the island. He believed it was safe enough to check up on his family."

  I found the news of Dr. Swan's journeying into enemy territory - even nominally enemy territory - quite frightening. I begin to wish I had not longed to hear news of him. Now I would worry until his safe return to Ang.

  "He is a brave and foolish man," I said.

  "And much missed by us both, I believe."

  I nodded. Members of our party began to drift in and take their seats.

  Before he moved back to his own place, Captain Copper asked me quietly, "Do either of those Seeker lads who paid you respects have a chance?"

  "Most certainly not," I whispered back.

  "Good."

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  I had had a very good morning. Which is to say I had performed an appendectomy and assisted in the removal of a large bowel tumor. I do enjoy my chosen profession. I was also relieved that I had performed my duties well despite only three or so hours sleep the night before. I had not been out wildly celebrating at some Seeker event, but sitting in my nightgown in the bedroom I shared with Seeli, all of us cousins dissecting our suitors with the same precision and sharpness as any master surgeon wielding a scalpel. Of course, I don't know of any surgeons who use wit to eviscerate their patients, but I am still rather new to the profession.