Chapter 8: The Talking Goat and a Familiar Stranger

Despite the fact that they had just arrived in an unfamiliar land, they noticed a few things right away. Rogers' bag had transformed into a cloth satchel containing various items necessary for their adventure: a small leather-bound journal, a quill and inkpot, an ancient map, a small pouch of what appeared to be local currency, and a dagger with an intricately carved hilt.

Rogers found the changes intriguing, but he kept his enjoyment to himself. What truly surprised them was their unexpected guide: a talking goat. They had arrived at a point where they were willing to believe anything, no matter how unbelievable it appeared.

The goat introduced herself as Liesha. She explained that she was once a beautiful young woman who worked as a servant in the royal palace. One day, she witnessed King Henry's brutality firsthand—he personally slaughtered goats for meat with no remorse. Outraged, she spoke out against the cruelty in front of the royal court. The king, enraged by her defiance, used his dark powers to transform her into a goat and sentenced to death. However, the spell did not completely deprive her of human consciousness. She escaped before she could be butchered.

A few days ago, she went to see an old and wise monk—the same monk who had once granted the king his powers. The monk made a prophecy: two people from another era would arrive to save the kingdom from tyranny and locate the missing prince. They must conceal their true identities, as any exposure could put them in grave danger. Liesha had been grazing nearby when she noticed Aria and Rogers. Recognising them as the awaited saviours, she led them to safety.

Rogers grinned, nudging Aria. "Wow! I never thought I'd be a superhero!"

Aria rolled her eyes. "Yes, and now, superhero, can you listen instead of interrupting?"

They were still struggling to believe everything, but scepticism seemed pointless.

After hours of walking, they arrived at a small hut in a remote part of the forest. Liesha lived here with her only friend. When Aria and Rogers stepped inside, their jaws dropped in surprise. Kendall stood in front of them, and she looked eerily familiar. Or rather, her doppelganger.

The girl smiled warmly and introduced herself as Kendalina.

Rogers was too stunned to say anything. Aria, on the other hand, nearly fainted. Kendalina, on the other hand, simply tilted her head in confusion, not understanding why these strangers were reacting in this manner.

Liesha explained everything to Kendalina, who listened patiently before welcoming the newcomers. "You look like my father," she suddenly said to Rogers, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Aria and Rogers exchanged a glance. The resemblance between Kendalina and their friend Kendall was uncanny. But instead of shock, Kendalina seemed to accept the possibility with ease. "Everything is possible in this world," she stated simply.

Despite the strange encounter, Aria's mind remained focused on one goal: finding Prince Adrian. Kendalina, sensing Aria's determination, offered to accompany them to the Royal Palace. She did, however, warn them that for their own safety, they should pretend not to know each other. The palace was packed with spies, and any suspicion could cost them their lives.

That night, Aria lay awake, reflecting on the surreal new beginning of her life in this era. Meanwhile, Rogers, who had taken an immediate liking to the rough horses in the nearby stables, spent the early morning tending to an abandoned horse. The neglected and wild horse warmed up to him over time as he fed, cleaned, and spoke gently to it.

Liesha, watching from a distance, smirked and murmured, "You're quite handsome. If I were still human, things might have been different between us."

Rogers, caught off guard, turned red. "I—uh—thanks?" He wasn't sure how to respond to a goat flirting with him.

Meanwhile, Kendalina brought Aria to the Royal Palace and introduced her as a dresser and caretaker looking for work. The guards, sceptical but uninterested, instructed her to wait.

Aria was quickly led into the Queen's chamber.

Queen Erieana, an ethereal beauty draped in deep purple and gold, studied Aria with piercing eyes. "You don't look familiar, yet you feel familiar," she said slowly. "Where are you from?"

Aria's breath hitched.

They hadn't planned a backstory. What should she say?

She needed an answer—fast.