Chapter 9

"Tatra! Where are you?!" Tarta cried out, angry. "A huge flying airship is coming this way and I can't find the person who's supposed to meet the guy! TATRA!"

Umi came running out her room, hearing the princess's loud voice. "What do you mean? An airship? Here already?"

Tatra was found panting, as she ran towards her sister and friend. She rushed to the windows and grew pale as she saw the huge silver airship that soared in the sky. Lifting her skirt, she ran quickly to the docks, where the ship would land. Umi and Tarta looked at each other and followed suite.

Outside, Umi found Caldina and Ascot looking up. The Palu looked at Umi. "Jinkun Rikoteki's arrived. I wonder how he looks like?"

People whispered and pointed at the docking vessel. It came down, and Tarta's face grew more sour than before. She crossed her hands and looked up impatiently. The door to the ship opened up and a dozen servants came out. Behind them was a cloaked figure in black. Tatra walked towards the oncoming guests and curtsied in front of the cloaked figure. The figure paused and looked over the princess then turned to one of his servants. After a small word from him, his servants went back to the airship and it flew away, to everyone's surprise.

"What, is the man staying here?" Umi asked, "Who in their right mind would send off all the people loyal to him and have him left alone in another country?"

Tarta shook her head, "He seems to know that Tatra won't harm him in some way. It's probably because he has the land that's important to our country. Umi, Ascot, Caldina, I don't want you harming him, you hear?"

"Oh, now, you want to keep him safe, Tarta?" Caldina asked, placing her hands on her hips. "I thought you wanted to wring his neck at first."

The princess glared at the dancer. "Well, if he's going to help Chizeta, might as well get through with it. My sister won't change her mind it seems."

Tatra then led the figure towards the castle. She smiled faintly at her sister. "Tarta, this is Lord Rikoteki from Jizena. He'll be staying here for quite a while."

Letting out a small scoff, Tarta turned her back and walked to the castle, ignoring the figure. Umi and Ascot looked at each other and shrugged. Caldina was scratching her head and followed the young princess inside. The cloaked figure turned to Tatra. "That was your sister? She's a feisty female. Well? Weren't you going to show me in?"

"Yes, of course," Tatra tried her best to smile, but only managed a faint grin. "This way, sir."

Umi boiled with anger. "Of all the nerve…"

Ascot placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her, "Calm down, Umi. Remember what Tarta told us."

"I don't care…he's being rude to his host," Umi hissed back, not caring whether or not the man heard her. Fortunately for her, Jinkun didn't. "Honestly, didn't they teach him respect in his country?" She looked around at the watching spectators and glared at them, "Well? What are you standing there for? Get on with your ordinary lives!"

Umi stomped inside, right behind Tatra. Ascot apologized to the civilians and hurriedly walked to catch up with the Magic Knight. Inside the throne room, the figure took off his cloak and draped it on one of Tatra's servants. He looked around the room, ignoring the watching spectators. Caldina elbowed Umi, starry eyed. "Tatra's not that bad off. He's a mighty handsome one!"

To be sure, Jinkun Rikoteki had long red hair, with purple eyes roving the castle walls. A scar can be found in the right cheek, adding to his handsome tan features. Caldina was right with the man's physical characteristics. Tarta also saw Jinkun and looked skeptically at Tatra.

Tatra looked down, unable to speak. Silently, the princess left the throne room, with Tarta attending to her. The younger sister signaled to the servants. "Please be sure to treat Lord Rikoteki with your most hospitable manners. Bring him to his room and then dinner later on."

"Very well," Jinkun said, aware of the stares he was getting, "I supposed you're asking yourself why I'd want to be in this crowded country, do you?"

"It's only crowded because you're not gracious enough to lend a hand," Umi retorted, about to approach him, "Ascot, let me go."

The Palu refused to let her go, wishing that she wouldn't let her angry spirit out in the open like this. "Umi, please calm down…"

The redheaded man grinned at her. "I can see I'm not welcome at this time. Who are you and your friend? You don't look like you're from around here."

Umi rolled her eyes and sighed. She decided not to make it worse and stomped out of the room. The man chuckled and Caldina approached him. The dancer shook his hand, "So, I hope you feel right at home. Why don't I show you your room? It's not that far. I'm sure you'll like it, Lord Rikoteki."

Ascot nodded absentmindedly, trying to decide whether to follow Umi or stay with Caldina, in hopes of getting to know more of the visitor. He hoped that the Magic Knight would calm down and think over what she should do. Again, he saw the man smile, but this time there was more to the smile than what other people might think. This was a cold smile, one that would freeze you to the core. Even Caldina shivered from that stare. It wasn't right, and Ascot couldn't find out why.

In her room, Umi slumped herself on her bed, sighing. How come she got so angry like that? It wasn't like her, burning with rage against a stranger she hasn't even known very well. But somehow, when she saw him, she felt a great anger and couldn't help but rant at him. It was as if a power pushed her to become an angry person…shaking her head, Umi decided not to think about it too much. Maybe she was just having a bad day, that's all. She got up from her bed and looked outside, and was surprised to see two of the same airships that brought Jinkun to Chizeta. What were two of them doing here? Didn't they leave their master? Something strange is going on, and the Magic Knight wasn't liking any bit of it.

Ascot entered her room, quietly. Without turning around, Umi asked, "What did you think of him? Lord Rikoteki, I mean."

"Something's about him, but I can't point my finger to what," Ascot said, shaking his head. "But you shouldn't have lost your temper like that. In front of him."

"I didn't want to," Umi replied, "Something made me lose my temper. Oh, I wish Hikaru and Fuu were here. Fuu could probably help out and tell me what's going on. And Hikaru could cheer all three of us up."

Her friend nodded and opened the door. "If you don't mind, we should be going, dinner will be ready in a few minutes. And hopefully, you try to control whatever made you get angry so quickly."

Nodding, the Magic Knight looked out the window again, and this time, she didn't see any airships. What in the world? Either something strange is going on, or Umi's been hallucinating…