[Written on quality paper, folded up into an envelope, sealed with a
red pyricorn shield sticker, and hidden behind the painting-door in
front of Kanna's wall safe in her suites in Castle Ember.]

                                        March 25th, 570 CY (1332 AY)
                                        Princess Kanna's Suites
                                        Castle Ember
                                        Kingdom of Ember

Dear mom, dad, and sis;

        Hi there.  If you're reading this letter, then it's all too
likely that I've been played for a fool, captured or killed by the
enemy, or worst of all compromised by Chaos or the Outsiders.  I write
this quickly to explain my actions in the hopes of somebody reading it
before I destroy it -- hopefully I'll have enough sense to walk the
Pattern on my return home so I can clean my brain from any bizzare
tendencies aquired along the way, provided I don't get violated.
        I met Kuonji Ukyou of Lipun at the Ember Embassy in Amber
today, as Sumire and her secretary can tell you.  He told me a story
about a 'Gate of Referendum' in the vicinity of Lipun which would
automatically open 40 years after the Gate of Revolution did, and that
a key (which had been stolen) that he needed to retrieve from Chaos in
order to seal it once it opened.  The story -sounded- plausible,
especially with the fact that we know other Gates lie beneath the
other Air Patterns, but I had heard of none such in Lipun.
        But at the same time, I could not check, for the prophesy he
recited was strict on only the two of us retrieving it, and that dire
consequences would occur if I brought anyone else into this, even to
assist on the information front.  This made me wary, especially the
fact that Ukyou had an -Air- Pattern imprint, even though he did not
tell me he possessed it.  His story about how he could have been
descended from Van (not named in person, but the gist was the same)
gave credence to his being of the Blood, yet brought up questions of
how he'd walked it without letting others know.
        Therefore, between the two extremes (total acceptance and
blind willingness to particapte, to total denial and resistance to the
idea), I decided a middle ground, to accompany him yet to be always on
guard.
        Why did I go?  Because with everything going on, even with the
risks, I could not take the chances that this was LEGITIMATE, and that
there was a risk of the Outsiders penetrating Lipun.  And this way I
could keep my eye on Ukyou, if he was telling the truth or lying
through his teeth.  Better to keep close tabs on a threat than to let
it roam about doing whatever it pleased.
        If you're reading this and I've been gone too long, then I
obviously miscalculated the risks.  I only hope that you will forgive
me for whatever may have come to pass in Lipun if the Gate is opened
and stays open, if I am lost beyond space and time, or if I am turned
by the Enemy.  My last will and testament is in the Royal Archives
with Lord Lonz.  Gabrielle can handle the distribution of other things
not listed there, as my older sister.  My love and best wishes to the
family, and I hope that all our dreams come true, even if I am not
there to witness them.

                                        All my love, Eternally,
                                        Kanna, Princess of Ember