Dr Quinby

Dr John Quinby was the assistant to the royal physician before being demoted for euthanising a gladiator with a fatal dose of laudanum. After his demotion, he is sent as a doctor to Absalom in the same caravan as Robert. In  'The Golden Bird- Part I', he is called Dr Quincy by Dr Elmsworth.

He has curly chestnut coloured hair, and muttonchops. He also wears spectacles. It is also implied that he is not long out of University, and therefore still quite young.

Alongside Dr Elmsworth, he treats Luca after his first night. Where Dr Elmsworth is detached, Dr Quinby has an empathetic and involved bedside manner for which Dr Elmsworth mocks him. Luca initially appreciated this, but then withdrew, not believing himself to be worthy of it. Later, Dr Quinby gives another pleasure slave a dose of Velox which causes a fatal seizure. After this incident, he refuses to use it again, and is sent to work in the gladiator stables. In the gladiator stables, he attempts to learn Keld to better communicate with them.

His caring nature is seen again in  'The Golden Bird- Part II', where he provides Hugo with pain relief until he runs out. He also treats injured guards and prisoners at Absalom, as well as Asher's ear and Robert's hand. He begins a friendship with Ged, who agrees to teach him Keld.