[Written on quality paper, folded up into an envelope, sealed with a
silver maple leaf sticker, and slid underneath Juri's door in Castle
Amber far enough so that it couldn't be easily retrieved...]

                                            [Day 8 of the Campaign]
                                            Forest Arden Stronghold
                                            The Forest Of Arden
                                            Amber

Dear Juri;

        I write this letter this evening with mixed thoughts as you
and Hiko ride through Arden.  I don't know why exactly I'm writing
this, here and now, while you are still within range of Trumps;
perhaps it's a desire to get my thoughts and memories down into
physical form that motivates me to write what I do right now.  Or
perhaps a desire to leave you a memento in the off chance that
something goes wrong in the future, given the current crises that
plague our homeland.  In either case, this letter is being written,
and I hope that you receive it safely after Hiko's quest is complete.
        Tomorrow morning I depart for Ember, and I will attempt to
repair the Fire Pattern at the heart of Mount Vesuvius.  If I am not
present and have not been seen for a while by the time you read this
letter, then it will be entirely likely that I will have perished in
the attempt.  Or not; I'm still not entirely sure of the metaphysical
mechanics of the process, even given grandfather's explanations of the
subject.  All I know is that it will be extremely difficult to do, on
par with what Derith and Tylor had experienced in repairing the
Patterns of Rebma and Kolvir.
        But I must attempt the repair, all the same.  The damage to
the Fire Pattern represents a flaw in Reality that our enemies could
exploit if they knew of it and the existence of Ember, and as I am the
only one that I know of in the family who is fully attuned to the Fire
Demi-Jewel of Judgment and who has the time to spare, it falls to me
to undertake this task.  Perhaps it will make no difference in the
ultimate resolution in the conflict between the self-named "Lord of
the Gift" and our homeland; but I need to do something to alleviate
the feelings of uselessness that continue to well up within me in
light of everything that has occurred in the past week.  One way or
another, I will contribute to the defense of our homeland, even if I
die in the process.
        As such, I write this letter in the off chance that I won't be
able to tell you something I have recently realized.  Actually,
there's a lot of things I'd love to talk with you about nowadays, some
things deeper than others, but this is the most important one.  And I
want you to promise me not to immediately discount what I'm about to
state, nor to dismiss it with a wave of your hand and a derisive
comment about how I should focus instead on tangible things.  I've
done enough of that in the past few centuries, but it doesn't change
what I've concluded, and I feel that I must tell you this before I
leave for Ember:
        
        Hiko is your Miracle.

        Hear me out!  I know of your feelings on miracles, and the
reasons behind them; I have never begrudged you for that.  We have had
this discussion before, many times, and you know my feelings as well
on the subject, and how I acknowledge at least the possibilities of a
miracle occurring.  Our respective beliefs and their motivations are
not the issue here.  Instead, it's a question of occurrence and
circumstance, of things unseen finally coming together in the here and
now, bringing unexpected changes to our lives.
        Think about it.  Hiko, your daughter, has appeared in Amber.
Once lost, she has now been found; once stranded, she has now been
reunited with you.  Regardless of Annadil's intentions towards her and
you, and regardless of the circumstances of Hiko's birth, your
daughter represents a triumph, a victory over ALL your enemies have
done to you in the past.
        From here on out, you and she have started a new life together
as Mother and Daughter.  I can see it in the way the two of you
interact, from mealtimes and long talks in your suite to casual
greetings in the hallways of Castle Amber.  I can see it in the way
that you move, in the smile that I've seen in your eyes when you speak
about her.  Why else would you now be going on a quest with Hiko, if
there was not some deep bond between the two of you?
        Perhaps I'm being overly soppy.  If so, you're entirely within
your rights to thwap me with nerf the next time we cross paths.  But
Hiko's appearance and presence has been a positive influence on you,
and I have no doubts in my mind that you will be an equal influence on
her, and help her heal from everything that she's endured.
        Together, the two of you can do anything.  I expect to see you
and your daughter returning from your quest for the Heart of Fire
triumphant.  I look forward to hearing the story of your adventures
over flutes of wine in my study in the Stronghold, and I hope to have
tales of my own to relate to you and Hiko, provided nothing untoward
happens.
        I wish I could accompany the two of you on your journey, but I
have my own tasks to accomplish, and I do not wish to intrude on what
is growing between you and Hiko.  You are a mother now, Juri, and I
shall not keep you from that duty and all it represents, both joyous
and frustrating it may be at times.  But I have faith in you.  You
have always been stronger than me, a fighter to the core of your
being, and you will triumph in this self-appointed task as you have in
the multitude of military campaigns you have participated in.  And
unlike those campaigns, the victory you will achieve with Hiko will
not be bittersweet.  
        Perhaps one day I too shall take the steps towards motherhood,
but we shall see, hmm?  For now, I will keep doing what I have always
done, supporting the family and our relations the best I can, so as to
keep the glimmers of Hope alive for the future during these trying
times.  I can do no less for what I feel for the family, especially
for you, dearest sister, and your daughter, my niece.  May the Unicorn
watch over your travels, Juri, and I hope to see you again soon.

                                        Love Forever and Always,
                                        Corrine