Anthea ran her hand over the dust covered mantel. The layers of cobwebs, and dirt from centuries gone by, graced every surface, nook, and cranny, like a protective blanket. But even under the veil of grime, the ruins of were a site to behold. Crumbling pillars made from the finest marble Anthea had ever seen. A stairway banister intricately carved from Jade. A huge broken chandelier lay in the middle of a once grand ballroom, the iridescent crystals scattered, and shattered across the floor. A few silk tapestries still clung to the walls, embroidered with gold and silver threads, depicting scenes you would only find in your dreams. Anthea had been inside the wealthiest noble’s castles, and manors. She had seen, and stolen many beautiful things, gems, jewels, art, gold, gowns, and other tangible beauty, but this place, these ruins, were by far the most magnificent thing she ever laid eyes on. It felt almost criminal, barbaric even, to disturb the once great city, which had stayed sleeping for so long, forgotten and alone within the forest.

All the while, she admired the beauty of the enchanted ghost city, she completely forgotten that she had left Elle outside the city entrance alone with only the horse. Sighing as she walked back out of the building, and down the perfectly laid cobblestone road she went back to where Elle was. Anthea could not wait to find all the treasures of wonders hidden around this place. 

“Elle, just wait till you see this place. It’s absolutely fantastic.” She said walking up to Elle. Rubetta the horse nickered at Anthea, then went straight back to munching on the clover patch on the ground.

It was rather early in the morning, Anthea hadn’t noticed any other people around, but the place was huge and it would take days thoroughly go through the whole area, so it was likely there was a few folk around. She stretched her arms into the air, totally ready for the adventurous day ahead.