Ferrand Carey

“Ferrand Carey, the Duke of Murtagh, the Dragon of Desperen Field”, also known as "Murtagh", is the husband of Isobel Carey, brother of Clovis Carey, and uncle of Julian Carey, as well as Kay Brightmore's brother-in-law. He is also a former customer of Felix Harrowgate's. He is a duke in Corambis.
== Appearance ==
Murtagh is Mildmay's height, which is slightly tall for Corambins, but is shorter than Felix, and has "thick, sleek, wheat-colored hair, a few shades paler than his skin. His eyes, deep-set and surrounded by a network of fine lines, [are] dark golden amber”.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 5.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. He has scars on his hands and forearms.
== Personality ==
Murtagh is arrogant and a bit patronizing, in part due to his rank and position, but he is supportive of those in his care. He is also canny and conniving, and ready to make the best of a bad situation, particularly if it benefits his people. He can be skeptical at times of particular religious leanings.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 4.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. Kay finds Murtagh's moods hard to read. Murtagh is also very charismatic. 
He knows very obscene exclamations, particularly when he's furious.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 7.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. He can be very restless when he has ideas or has nothing to do in complicated situations.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 9.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths.
Murtagh believes he carries sin on his spirit, possibly because of his soldiering days, but he doesn't waste his time in penance for it. He is religious to some extent, though, and sometimes attends services at Our Lady of Mirrors in Esmer.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 11.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths.
In the bedroom, he is a flame (dominant).
Murtagh likes the Althammara because, among other reasons, it has a fast water system, and the top floor has a private entrance. He doesn't seem averse to technological innovation (at least existing for others to make use of), and finds religious skepticism of it amusing.
Murtagh cares deeply for the fate of Corambis, and fights to protect it. He is averse to more war and bloodshed, but willing to fight if necessary.
== Life ==
Murtagh seemingly grows up in Carey House in Esmer. He has one younger brother. Clovis is the original heir to the duchy, but when he is Julian's age, he is revealed to be an aethereal, and cannot control his abilities, so he goes to serve as an anchorite in eastern Corambis.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 16.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths.
Murtagh fights at Desperen Field, where he nearly loses his arm. At some point, Murtagh marries Isobel at the behest of Gerrard Hume and, on his behalf, Kay. But Isobel is barren, so they have no children.
Murtagh's younger brother and his wife have one child, Julian. Murtagh's brother dies in the Insurgance, and his wife dies (seemingly in an accident, possibly involving a carriage), making Julian Murtagh's ward, as well as his heir. Murtagh orders that no one is to know that Julian is an aethereal, as it's "not an asset for a duke's heir", and it plays on Murtagh's fears regarding Clovis.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 12.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. When Godolphin finds out about Julian's aethereal status, and wants Julian to go to Esmer Theological College, this infuriates Murtagh. Julian is sent to the University of Esmer instead.
When the news of Gerrard's death/Kay's imprisonment reaches Esmer, Isobel is hysterical, and asks Murtagh to save Kay. Murtagh convinces the Convocation not to kill Kay. The Convocation strips Kay of his land, titles, and property, and makes him a dependent of the Duchy of Murtagh, putting Kay's upkeep and good behavior under Murtagh's supervision. Murtagh goes to Bernatha and brings the ruling to Kay, and rescues Kay from his public exhibition. He arranges for Kay to marry Vanessa Pallister and thus become the new Warden of Grimglass. Murtagh then takes Kay to Murtagh's rooms at the Althammara.
Murtagh invites Thomas Albern to visit the Althammara, where they get into a shouting match over Kay, and Murtagh convinces Thomas to give Murtagh the key to Kay's collar, which Murtagh unlocks.
Parsifal Wyatt hires Felix for a night on Murtagh's behalf. Murtagh enjoys himself immensely.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 6.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. Murtagh stays with Kay during a visit from Edwin Beckett, to support Kay.
After the Clock of Eclipses wakes, Murtagh focuses on making sure Thomas and his supporters don't make matters worse in Corambis than they are, in the absence of an appointed governor who could stop Thomas from making Bernatha the seat of Caloxan government. Murtagh wants to prevent another war. He elicits advice from Kay on how to manage the new government, in an attempt to find peaceful compromise. Murtagh is later furious at the appointment of Peter Albern as the Governor Regent of Caloxa, but still negotiates to push the government seat to Wildar.
Murtagh takes Kay with him to Gerrard's funeral. When Clara Hume makes a scene afterward, and Kay fights back, Murtagh drags Kay away. 
Murtagh, Kay, and the servants head to Esmer via train, which is also the same train carrying Felix and Mildmay. After the train stops, and Murtagh goes with Kay to investigate, Murtagh is startled at the sight of Felix. After Felix kills the Automaton of Corybandt, Murtagh invites Felix and his companions to their car for the remainder of the journey. He uses the opportunity to learn more about Felix's past.
In Esmer, Murtagh leaves Kay with Isobel, and goes to the Convocation. He later has Julian take Kay to church. When Julian abandons Kay, Murtagh is angry, and takes Kay home. He has a stern talking-to with Julian.
Murtagh greets Vanessa at the train in Esmer, along with Kay, Isobel, and Julian. Murtagh and Vanessa proceed to discuss the marriage between Vanessa and Kay. Murtagh later asks Kay to give Vanessa a chance.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 13.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths.
When the knowledge of Julian's status as an aethereal is put at risk, Murtagh forbids some of Julian's travel, and speaks of withdrawing Julian from the University.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 14.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. Murtagh forbids Julian to interact with Cyriack Thrale, which makes their relationship suffer.
When Kay goes missing, Murtagh and Vanessa go to Felix and Mildmay's apartment to look for him. In their discussion, Murtagh realizes he needs to visit Anselm Penny for information, and he and Felix share odd looks that Mildmay can't interpret.
Murtagh goes to Howrack to deal with the situation after Felix deals with the revenant. Murtagh gives Kay a stern talking-to about how Grimglass is a heavy responsibility he is entrusting to Kay. Murtagh sends Julian to be Kay's secretary.
Murtagh attends Vanessa and Kay's wedding, during which he speaks with Felix alone in the gardens at St. Nath's Tower. Murtagh apologizes to Felix for hiring him, which Felix brushes off.
== Skills ==
== Relationships ==
=== Intended Albern ===
Murtagh seems to dislike Albern.
=== Cyriack Thrale ===
Murtagh is aware of Julian's affection for Cyriack, and believes Julian is a bit foolish about it. He puts his foot down when Julian's status as an aethereal is more widely known.
=== Edwin Beckett ===
Murtagh dislikes Edwin, and thinks his theories are nonsense.
=== Felix Harrowgate ===
Wyatt hires Felix on Murtagh's behalf. Murtagh enjoys his night with Felix. Felix is drawn to Murtagh.
=== Frances Leverick ===
When Murtagh invites Felix and his companions to his car on the train to Esmer, Frances comes along, and she and Murtagh get into a polite argument over whether or not the automaton that Felix destroyed was in fact the Automaton of Corybant.
=== Godolphin ===
Murtagh has a frosty relationship with Godolphin, largely due to Godolphin finding out about Julian being an aethereal/suggesting Julian go to Esmer Theological College.
=== Isobel Carey ===
Murtagh and Isobel have a frosty relationship at times: after their marriage, it takes Isobel around five indictions before she said she found Murtagh "not displeasing." Murtagh doesn't seem to want Isobel to know about his relationship with Felix. Isobel disapproves of Murtagh interacting with Kay.
=== Julian Carey ===
Julian is Murtagh's nephew and heir. Murtagh often lectures him on proper decorum. Murtagh notes that Julian takes after his mother in his passions. After Murtagh's relationship with Julian frays, Julian gets along better with Kay.
=== Kay Brightmore ===
Kay is the half-brother of Murtagh's wife, Isobel. Murtagh and Kay have a sometimes difficult but close relationship, and Murtagh considers them friends. Murtagh is very intent on caring for him, or at least ensuring that Kay looks after himself. Murtagh also trusts Kay's wisdom.
=== Parsifal Wyatt ===
Murtagh's current secretary. Murtagh sometimes makes use of Wyatt's services to hire prostitutes.
=== Richard Almond ===
A practitioner Murtagh hires to see to Kay's injuries. Murtagh and Richard seem to get along well.
=== Roderick Lapwing ===
Murtagh's former secretary prior to Wyatt.
=== Thomas Albern ===
Murtagh seems to hate Thomas, and they often argue, at least over Kay.
=== Tinder ===
Murtagh's manservant.
=== Vanessa Pallister ===
Murtagh and Vanessa are distant cousins, and they arrange for Vanessa to marry Kay. Murtagh considers Vanessa spoiled and doesn't have a high opinion of her. He also doesn't have a high opinion of Vanessa's dead husband.
== Quotations ==
== Trivia ==
== References ==
Category:Characters
Category:Corambis