“Poor friend Viki” Said Vincent, picking himself up. “The sheer joy of seeing me again must have caused her to send that spell in shock. Radat has proven to be insufficient in my quest for the garden’s whereabouts, shall South Window prove as futile?”

As the South Window district came into Vincent’s view, so did a group of people. 5 soldier like people carried a pole on their sholdier. In the middle of the pole was a small cabinet which held room for one person.

Vincent saw the man in the miniscule room, his wig and clothing seemed to indicate that he took himself for an aristocrat. Absurd. For Vincent knew all the creme de la creme of this region, and this charlatan (not to be confused with the Charlatans that were invited to Hyacinth’s delightful dinner) was not one of them.

“Move aside!” One of the soldiers had the audacity to tell Vincent. “This is the cabinet of our great lord.”

A loud ahem can be heard from the cabinet.

“Er.” The same soldier repeated. “Our great aristocratic lord.”

The annoyed ahem grew louder.

“I think he wants you to say his name” said another soldier.

“Whaaaaat? Are you crazy!” said the solider to the other before turning to Vincent. “This is our great aristocratic lord Richard Wilkians William Mason Vaction Henry Mcgregerson Allistair the 3rd!” He said, before fainting.

“I am sure that if we get to know each other we are to be great friends,but I know not of this fine name. Are you quite certain to be an aristocrat?” Vincent said, ignoring the passed out soldier.

“You!” Said a very annoyed lord Richard Wilkians the 3rd. “You dare implay that I am not an aristocrat? You, whom I know not your name, dare compare yourself to me, who knows the precise location of the Jardin au couer de minuit?”

Vincent stepped back. “You know of the Jardin au couer de minuit? I am afraid you are in grave illusion. For no one has ever set eyes on that fabled region.”

“How dare you!! To imply I am a charlatan (not to be confused with the Charlatans that were invited to Hyacinth’s delightful dinner)!! I am lord Richard Wilkians William Mason Vaction Henry Mcgregerson Allistair the 3rd, aristocrat extraordinare! And I shall waste no more precious time talking to you.”

The soldiers departed to their course, which appeared to be toward the City States/Toran border. South Window can wait, Vincent felt it was his duty as an aristocrat to uncover all imposters who dare masquerade themselves as true nobelmen. And if this Lord Richard truly knows the locations of eden, it shall be extremely beneificent.

Vincent observed the walls of the borders getting closer. The journey was longer and perilous compared to the one from Radat to South Window. The scenery banal, with only a lake to add to the landscape. Monsters were allowed to trot around without anyone trying to stop them. Such vulgar things, monsters, why are they allowed to pollute landscapes still remains a mystery to Vincent de Boule.

The walls of the border were covered in an unimaginative grey with rust growing on some places. Certainly such a fine piece of architecture should be taken better care of. But no, even the guards were few. Two guards at the wooden door, standing like there was no care in the world. Their dress was typical Toran guards, when another man dressed in different clothes came to speak to them.

Vincent approached the man, recognizing him as dear friend Kasim from the Hearts in Passion of the Roses’ empire battle.

“Why, dear Friend Kasim” Said Vincent. “It has been such a long time! Of course, you did the terrible mistake of throwing me in prison last time, but all is forgiven, non?”

“Hello, Vincent” Said Kasim sternly, he had no time for such trival nonsense. “What are you doing on the other side of the Toran borders?”

“Why, I am here because I have been in search of the greatest garden on this planet. But that is of no great importence at the moment, I am here to enquire about that man? Lord Richard, has he passed through here? If you can just let me enter..”

“I am afraid I cannot do that, unless you have a pass this place is off limits.”

“But dear friend, I have to go see this Lord Richard. Formality is such a bad thing between friends like us.” Vincent ignored the yells of the guards and proceeded to enter the gates. Kasim nodded to the guards, and they tried to restrain Vincent. “Let me go, I have matters to do.”

Vincent’s right hand began to emit a red aura and the rose rune began it’s glorious spell. The red aura covered the ground like mist, and flowers materialized from this magic. The guards gasped and threw themselves back.

“You idiot!” Cried Kasim. “There is a bee hive on top of the..”

Kasim’s words were cut off as a swarm of determined bees dived to the new bed of roses. The guards and Kasim ran away and left the post unattended, leaving Vincent to continue his journey.

A day had past, and the whereabouts of Lord Richard’s mansion was revealed to Vincent through the helpful directions of the merchant. The place was a small town east of the border, with the mansion sitting at the far left. It was such a shame that no inn could be found on the route, and Vincent had to spend a night camping like the animals of filthy theives. Then again, the inns had poor lodging, and not much of a difference could be found- they both gave Vincent a feeling of nostalgia, longing for his king sized bed at home.

But alas, to return home at this point was an impossibility, and not a priority at the moment. Vincent entered the small inn in hope to get information. Memories hit Vincent once again, as another hero of the Hearts in passion of the Roses’ empire battle was at the head of the inn, serving the men tea.

“That lord Richard!” Moaned one of the men. “He has raised the taxes again, someone has to do something nasty to him.”

“Like what?” Said the other.

“Like...something very nasty! Something that’ll make him cry in a prissy way.”

The innmaster poured more tea. “Gentlemen, I have the perfect solution, Lord Richard is very attached to his white rose. If we get to steal it he’ll surely be very upset and cry.”

“But Ladon” Said one, sipping the tea. “Who will be foolish enough to go inside Lord Richard’s mansion? I heard rumors of strange things in there. uh...ah”

All men fell unconscious. Ladon smiled before taking their wallets. “I’m sure you’ll find someone.”

Just then Vincent stepped in, giving Ladon a shock. “Uh..ah, you...”

“Friend Ladon! Yes, it is I, Vincent de Boule, fellow contapriot. How has the times been treating you?”

Good Laden sighed in releif. He, for some strange reason, doesn’t notice anything. “Oh, I have been...”

“Marvelous! It’s great that such a dear friend has been doing good for himself. Now, I have heard the men speak of Lord Richard?”

“Ah yes” Ladon’s face brightened. “Lord Richard, we were talking about him. And we need someone to break into his house. Will you do it?”

“I am appalled! To imply that I would lower myself to petty theivery. I simply want to talk to him”

“He won’t give you the time of day.”

“He shall once he realizes I am Vincent de Boule, aristocratic brilliance.”

“Ah..uhm... well you see, the real reason is because he has something that should rightfully be yours.. The white rose, such an imposter is undeserving of it. So you see, it is your birthright as an aristocrat to get it.”

“Of course, dear friend, you are right. Why should such a charlatan (not to be confused with the Charlatans that were invited to Hyacinth’s delightful dinner) know directions to the fabled garden and have a brilliant white rose? It would be a crime against my heritage not to get such precious items.”

Ladon smiled, another victim. “Yes, indeed. It is not right. Now, do you want some tea?”

“Tea would be perfection dearest friend, once the night befalls this place, it shall be our chance to spring.”