Imperial physician Jae has gnarled and knotted fingers. The man himself, if not salvaged by his long blowing silver gray robes, looked like an old twisted tree, leafless and wind beaten.
Distantly related to the terminated Hea household, the old man was barred from holding courtly positions. It was only the invaluable nature of the knowledge their clan guarded jealously within the family, and their great medicinal abilities that had kept the Jae household safe.
Yet, the line was dying. It seemed the blood line itself had carried ill luck. Of his three daughters, one had married a sea faring merchant and perished at a storm. One had married the emperor's ninth brother and the prince was tried and found guilty of treason. His daughter had never removed from the loss.
