The first inklings of light had begun to creep across the horizon by the time I made it to Witschblume Castle, the weathered fortification which had given birth to the town after its name.

Once, the castle had been the cream of the crop, a cascading bastion of white towers and fluttering banners, back when Ouzelia was young and dashing farmhands seemed the only thing between dragons and all-you-can-eat village buffets.

Now the walls were stained in faded beige, the towers were sealed on health and safety grounds and dragons were probably the most picky eaters in existence.

Even so, I took in the sight of the distant lights peeking between the ramparts with a sense of appreciation for the grandness it was and still is. As I dipped down on my broomstick and parked in the centre of the orchard courtyard, I was again struck by the weight of history around me.

Long before the town around it made itself known for its citrus groves, the castle's orchard was already old and sprightly. Now it was practically ancient, though no less full of colour.

Lady Uxna herself waited for me, her long, sensible skirt and heavy-duty apron a far cry to the much more colourful uniform the Bread & Berry Cafe demanded of its workers.

She wore her working dress elegantly, the seams tailored to fit her tall frame, her broad shoulders, and the biceps puffing out from her upper sleeves.

An ogre of the Blood Shrieker Tribe, Lady Uxna came to Witschblume Castle as part of a worker exchange programme to broaden cultural ties. Her stunning competency meant she not only proceeded to fast-track her way to head maid, but also the noble title that came along with it. A stunning feat for someone whose culture traditionally meant housekeeping was to simply build a new house whenever the old one became too cluttered with the bones of enemies.

Sadly, Lady Uxna's accomplishments were often overlooked by The Witschblume Times, who preferred to focus on the girl she'd exchanged places with instead.

The last I heard, she was besting all her opponents in gladiatorial combat and was now eyeing a seat on the matriarch's council, much to the delight of both humans and ogres alike.

If Lady Uxna was fussed, she didn't show it.

She was professional to a tee, and so I smiled bravely as a searching eye took stock of the messy ribbon which held my own apron in place, hoping she wasn’t about to break her streak.

“Good morning, Miss Rowe,” she said as I hopped off my broomstick. Her curtsy carried all the motion of someone who was much less likely to offend a gryphon than I was. “Would you like me to house your broomstick?”

I upped my smile and nodded.

Aside from the snacks, one of the bright sparks to visiting the castle was that complementary servicing came as standard for all broomsticks, flying carpets and ice sleighs. I wasn't sure if the court carpenter was awake at this time, but knowing him, he'd smell the arrival of rare yonewood even in his sleep. My broomstick was in good hands.

“Oh, that'd be lovely, thank you,” I said as chirpily as I could manage at this hour. “I don't think I've ever seen the courtyard this quiet before. There's usually always the same squirrels and bunnies competing to nibble away at the oranges.”

I peered back at the nearest grove of trees.

The citrus fruits here bloomed year-round, and that meant the wildlife that'd staked a claim here were usually as punctual as the dawn when it came to parading about on their territory.

Then again, most dawns didn't come with blue petals floating down from the clouds.

Lady Uxna nodded as one of the petals landed squarely on the tip of her nose. She stood perfectly still, extolling professionalism as the blue petal melted away like a snowflake on the ground.

“Ordinarily, yes,” said Lady Uxna. “The squirrels and rabbits have vacated the premises, as have the majority of the courtyard's population of endangered pink bristle badgers.”

“Because of the blue stuff?”

“No. Because the duchess evicted them.”

“Oh, I see. And why is that?”

“She said as they paid neither taxes nor tenancy fees, they were simply career burglars and should be either imprisoned or exiled.”

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Lady Uxna paused.

“I believe she found a dropping in her shoe.”

I considered whether it was necessary for me to ask for details.

It probably wasn't, but as an officially sanctioned heroine, there were probably expectations that I should enquire about just how the animals were removed from their habitat here.

“By any chance, did the duchess evict them herself?”

“No, I did.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

Even so, the respite was temporary. A small pang of anxiety quickly made itself known in my stomach as I suddenly wasn't quite sure whether I'd been summoned here regarding Lize's end of the world scenario or because there was a final holdout of badgers that needed shooing away.

I really hoped it was the end of the world. What badgers lacked in wings and spikes, they made up for in teeth, claws and concentrated aggression.

“Well, I'm here to help if the duchess needs me,” I said. “I received your letter. I came as quickly as I could.”

“And thank you for doing so at short notice. I unreservedly apologise for the disruption of your sleep.”

I was presented with a perfectly angled half-bow.

Were it not for her maid's attire, Lady Uxna could easily have been, and technically still was, a member of the politicking court. Her regal presence easily captured my full attention, and I almost didn't notice as the broomstick in my hand was silently and professionally stolen away by another maid.

Lady Uxna ran a tight ship. One crewed by people who I noticed tried very hard to avoid eye contact with me.

One of these days, I was probably going to have to ask questions.

But unless I finally saw something I wasn’t supposed to, that day wouldn’t be today.

“It's okay,” I said, smiling cheerfully away. “I was already awake. Don't worry, you weren't the only one startled by the blue stuff.”

I held out my palm, catching one of the petals in defiance to prudence.

There wasn't even a tickle as it melted away this time. It both looked and felt ethereal. That was still no suggestion on whether it was innocuous or malignant, but at least I could cross pretty volcanic embers off the list. For now.

“The duchess is ready to receive you,” said Lady Uxna, her eyes narrowing in distrust at the latest petal to perch on her nose. “She awaits you in her private study,”

“Private study?” I asked. This was rare. I wasn't sure I knew the way there. “Not her bedroom?”

“The location is the same.”

I blinked.

“So … it's still her bedroom? And she now uses it as her study?”

“No, it’s now formally her study.”

“But it still has her bed in it?”

“The duchess was unmoved by my observations that it was unfitting for the ruler of the duchy to display open contempt for the scholarly pursuits. To rectify her image, I renamed her private chambers to her private study.”

“Does that have any practical effect?”

“In court? Yes. She's now considered the foremost expert on every academic field in existence, owing to the length of time she spends there.”

I nodded, realising yet again I could never begin to don Lady Uxna's head maid uniform. It was masterful stratagems like this that separated the wheat from the chaff.

“I won't keep the duchess waiting, then. She must be tired so early in the morning.”

“Allow me to assure you that she is exceptionally well rested and your presence will not tire her in the slightest.” Lady Uxna signalled with her hand. A pair of guards waiting in the shadow of the castle door made themselves known. One carried a platter of biscuits. The other a tea tray. “Breakfast on the go?”

“Yes, please.”

My legs involuntarily began moving for the biscuits.

With customer service like this, I was relieved that Lady Uxna had no intention on joining the cafe free-for-all that was taking place in the streets just outside the castle. I didn't know how long the Bread & Berry would last, but I suspected we wouldn’t be the final holdout.

“One moment,” added Lady Uxna. “Since you're to speak with the duchess, I'd like to request that you deliver a number of messages on my behalf. She's made herself difficult to access, and this current issue notwithstanding, there are other matters of consequence for her to attend to.”

I was momentarily taken aback by the novelty of Lady Uxna needing to ask me for … anything. That request had shattered a long, unbroken line of her being able to achieve everything related to the castle and its owner by her own designs.

“Of course,” I replied with a quick nod, more than happy to play the messenger girl.

The head maid said nothing. I wondered if I should have brought my quill and pad with me.

“I actually also have a further, unorthodox request,” she said, now sounding as if the early morning fatigue had finally reached her.

I smiled politely.

“Yes?”

“If you would, I’d ask that you deliver some fresh articles of clothing to the duchess, too.”

Lady Uxna stared intently at me, lips tightly pursed as if gnashing down any embarrassment before it could surface.

“Is it socks?” I asked.

“Among other garments,” she replied, voice purposefully level.

I nodded in full understanding.

Then, after a moment to take in the scattered sea of drifting petals falling around me once more, I started making my way to the castle doors where the guards were patiently waiting for me, tea and biscuits at the ready.

My spirits lifted when I saw the array of chocolate bourbons and custard creams presented.

No matter how dire the situation, there was always time for a biscuit. And if there wasn't, well.

Then it was already too late.