Monster Blood Tattoo by D.M. Cornish

Rossamund Bookchild, a boy with a girls name, has grown up at Madam Opera's Estimable Marine Society for Foundling Boys and Girls. Every year there is a period of time where prospective employers come and take the older children for employment. About 3 weeks after this period ends Mister Sebastipole, an agent from High Vesting, comes to offer him a job as a lamplighter. He gets all of his papers in order and sets out for High Vesting. During his journey he meets up with Europe, who is a lazar. After a few days of being with her and her driver they are involved in a battle and Europe is severly injured. Rossamund takes her to an inn where she recovers and Rossamund finds a new driver for Europe. They arrive finally at High Vesting. He goes out to explore while Europe takes care of some business. He meets up with some people he knew from Madam Opera's, and is captured by Captain Poundinch. He is rescued by Europe and Fouraces. As Europe and Fouraces depart and promise to visit him when they can, Rossamund starts his new life as a lamplighter.