Christine had never seen anything so amazing in her life. A grand ship the color of pearls and laced in gold was preparing to set sail. The dock was busier than the opera house on opening night and was very overwhelming. There was so many sights and sounds that Christine didn't know what to direct her attention to first. She saw a young mother dressed in peasant clothing carrying a baby on her hip. She was struggling with her suit case as people kept running in to her, trying to make it on to the ship. There was a man smoking a pipe and reading a newspaper. He kept checking his pocket watch relentlessly as if in a big hurry, but he just continued to read his paper as hundreds of people passed him by. Countless venders lined the dock with cheap souviners and various other goods. It seemed that everyone in the world had gathered on the dock at that moment, well almost everyone.

"Christine, we will be boarding in about fifteen minutes. There are just a few things I have to take care of is that all right?" Raoul looked completely comfortable amongst what Christine saw as chaos. "Feel free to look around, but please don't go to far. Actually I can have Adele go with you. She will be serving as your maid during the trip." Christine had no idea that she was going to have a maid or how she should she react to having one. Her mind was swimming in the excitement of things happening around her and she desperately wanted to explore before they boarded.

"I would love to take a look around." she said half dazed.

"Adele, Adele please accompany Mlle. Daae around the dock. Please remember to be back in fifteen minutes though."

"Oui Monsieur, trés bien." the young girl said, shying away from making eye contact with the Vicomte. Christine hardly noticed either of them anymore. She was already heading into the crowd.

Suddenly she found herself immersed in the chaos. She was surrounded by all sorts of people in all sorts of dress, of all different classes and speaking all sorts of languages. Christine had never seen so many different cultures before. The venders had some of the most amazing things Christine had ever seen. Adele struggled to keep up fighting her way after Christine.

"Hola! See anything you like?" said a woman dressed in a long dress with unique red and gold designs sewn on to it. She held a beautiful clay vase that had been hand painted blue and orange.

There were so many things that caught Christine's eye at the small stand. There were musical instruments, baskets, blankets, and pottery, but she saw something shimmer out of the corner of her eye. The red garnet glowed in the sun light, bewitching all who looked upon it. Light seemed to dance inside of it causing the color to swirl around. It was set in a rose gold band and held in place by two small hearts. It wasn't gaudy in size or display, but it was like nothing Christine had ever seen before.

"Do you like it my child?" a small voice startled Christine and broke the pull the ring had on her. Christine looked up to see a small old woman sitting in the corner of the tent with a black shawl covering most of her upper body. She looked as though she had lived a hard life. Her face had many creases and lines, but made her appear to be very wise. Her long hair was had faded from a jet black to a dull gray though out most of it and her hands were shriveled up and gently resting in her lap. She stared at Christine with sorrowful eye that still retained some of their fire.

"That ring, I was just admiring how beautiful it was." Christine didn't really know what to say for she had not realized she was being watched. The old woman's eyes drifted to the ring and back to Christine.

"What are you searching for my child? For that ring only brings about the end. Do not fall for it's tantalizing gaze, because before you know it will consume you." The old woman was beginning to stand up and walk to Christine.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean." Christine was feeling uncomfortable and turned to see if Adele who she had just realized was suppose to be following was there, but she was no where to be seen.

The old woman came closer and stood face to face now with Christine. "You have been possessed by it and it will test you one day. The ring will find its way into your life and you will know then child, oh you will know then what you truly seek and what path your heart truly wants to take. But beware, Christine, that beauty does not stain your eyes and your heart. Vanity is what will lead you to your demise and the death of your love." The old woman's eyes suddenly seemed to swirl just like the ring had.

It was too much for Christine to handle, she had to get back to Raoul. She quickly turned into hurrying crowd and fought her way back to where she had left him. She could hear the fog horns blowing. The ship was going to set sail! She ran as fast she could and nearly knocked Raoul over as she collided with him.

"Christine where have you been? Adele came back without you saying that she had lost you!" He held her by her shoulders trying help her recover from their collision.

"I'm so sorry Raoul its not her fault at all. I took off and got myself lost." She was so out of breath and now feeling sorry that she had caused so much trouble.

"Its all right, let's just get on the ship." He held out his arm and she gladly took it. As they made their way up the walk way to the ship Christine looked back down at the people scrambling passed one another. Her eyes found the another set of eye staring back at her.

"The ring will find its way into your life and you will know then child, oh you will know then what you truly seek and what path your heart truly wants to take. But beware, Christine, that beauty does not stain your eyes and your heart." She recalled what the old woman had said and gasped. She had never told the old woman her name.