Please come and find me when you return. I'd love to hear news of my father and brothers, and hope they have given you a return letter for me. I believe I will be staying in Amber for a while now, at least until I can return home under my own power.

Adrienne

You will never see this letter, but I am writing it anyway. I have already burned one letter to you, and one to Gabriel as well. I had begun them in the afternoon, after my afternoon with Alex, and well, what I said doesn't mean the same thing anymore. So it was no use completing them. But this letter will only hurt you if you read it, so I do not wish to send it to you. I have so many questions for you, but it would be far better if I ask them in person. So when I return home, perhaps then I can ask. For now, though, writing this may help me begin to understand.

For sixteen years, father, you have lied to me. You told me I was your daughter, and that my mother died in childbirth. And you *are* my father, I realize that! I still feel as if I am your true daughter. But why didn't you tell me long ago that I was adopted?

You see, Benedict has told me that Cybele is my mother. Benedict is my uncle, and Alexander my cousin. Mirelle, my new friend, is my aunt. And me? I'm confused.

The began so well. I met Benedict at dawn and we worked on my technique with two weapons. Then Jerrym came for his turn to work with Benedict, and I watched them fight. It was like a ballet, father. Like watching two masters work together. Perhaps, some day, I will have that kind of skill. I am certain Benedict will help me. After the fight, we went in to brunch, where we saw Alexander. I rather like Alexander, and when he offered to take me shopping for the afternoon, it sounded like a wonderful idea.

We spent the entire day in the city, looking for clothes, and herbs, and gifts for my family. He is a fascinating host! We have purchased gifts for you, and for my brothers, father. Someday I will be able to bring them to you. Benedict says not right now, but I may decide to try it sometime soon. After all, Mirelle did, and she has such independance. I envy that.

After that, we returned to the castle and I tried to nap. I had such a hard time falling asleep. I was in a wonderful mood, and not at all sleepy. But I was going to go up into the sky city with Alexander and others that night, and I didn't want to be sleepy then. So I fixed myself a sleeping draught and drank that, then wrote to both you and Gabriel until I was sleeping. I set the letters aside and napped.

After dinner, Alexander, Artor, Rowan, (unfortunately) Selwin, and I climbed Kolvir to the steps of Tir. I was excited, and hopeful, and looking forward to the adventure. And it was quite an adventure.

We climbed a very long flight of stairs. The first three stairs, from the top of Kolvir, were stone, and the rest were made out of clouds. The steps weren't wide, so I stayed close behind Alex, in case of trouble. When we got to the top, we were in what looked like the city of Amber, only all the people were ghostly, as if they were also made from cloud stuff. They looked as if a celebration were going on, talking and cheering and drinking, and I couldn't hear a word they said. However, as Alex said, at first there wasn't much to understand. The people of the city were rather drunk.

We headed up to the castle. On our way, we saw a demon of some sort fly overhead, and the crowds cheered silently. When Alex saw the demon he grew worried at first, but all the guards were still wearing Amber's livery, and they were celebrating some sort of victory *for* Amber, not against it.

When we got to the castle, people were far less drunk than those in the city. On our way into the castle, I was very surprised to see Mikhael coming out! Of course, he didn't see me. Alex says that while they are ghosts to us, we are also ghosts to them. To themselves, they are the reality, no matter how cracked we may find that reality.

We continued on into the castle until we met someone Alex knew in the hall. His name was Bastien, and Alex knew him only from another trip to Tir. They greeted each other, and they spoke for quite a while. We could only hear one side of the conversation. While they talked, I walked around and I could walk right through Bastien as if he weren't even there. And he didn't notice me.

Alex briefed us on the conversation when they were through. Apparently the queen of Amber had died, and the new queen was to be crowned that night. Bastien suggested that Alex should stop in and see the new queen, and so Alex took us to the throne room.

When we arrived in the throne room, I saw four men surrounding someone I couldn't see. You were there, father, with my other three brothers. I held myself back, slightly, watching. When we entered the room, you all moved away from your charge, and a ghostly version of myself hurtled forward and threw her arms around Alex's neck.

I think I stood there in shock, while my ghostly self chattered away at Alex. He said I sounded just like normal. After a little bit, Mirelle came in and took me away to go get ready for the coronation, and Alex and the rest of us moved out to go to the library. On the way, Alex again filled us in on what we couldn't hear.

The Tir version of me had told Alex that my mother had been queen of Amber, and she had died and I was to be crowned queen that night. I tried explaining that that woman couldn't be my mother. It was an impossibility. I knew quite well who my mother was, and that she had died more than 16 years ago.

Alex was silent on the topic, while Selwin and Artor discussed the idea with me. When we arrived in the library, we all stared up at the portraits. In the center at one end was a portrait of Cybele. On one side of her was Bastien, her advisor, and on the other was Benedict, her Marshall. And at the other end hung a covered portrait, which as you may expect, was of myself.

We went to the ceremony then, and Alex told me that I gave a nice short speech, explaining that my mother had died repelling the invading forces with the help of our allies in Chaos, and that we had been victorious. Shortly after that Tir began to fade, and Alex passed me through the Trump contact to Rowan before we fell from the city in the sky.

When we returned from Tir, the others were insisting that Cybele could, perhaps, be my mother in truth. I did not believe it, and the others followed me back to see the miniature I have of mother. Benedict was waiting in the hall outside my room. He turned to the others, and informed them solemnly, "I wish to speak with Adri. Alone."

It was not phrased as an order, but it was as good as one. The others all walked quickly away as Benedict ushered me into my room and closed the door behind us. He then asked me to tell him what had happened in Tir. I told him everything, exactly as I have told you.

He considered what I had said for a moment, then began solemnly, "Adrienne ... " He paused then, as if he were trying to bring the words he needed to mind.

"There is no easy way to say this." His voice was still hesitant, but he was watching me carefully, eyes locked on my own expression. "I had not planned on telling you for some time yet, but events have conspired against me."

He took a deep breath, pausing again. I held my breath, knowing I was about to hear something important, not sure how I was going to need to react.

"Cybele is your mother."

I couldn't say a word at first, eyes still locked, my mouth slightly open. I couldn't even seem to breathe properly. I couldn't believe what he was saying. It couldn't possibly be true. If it was, then someone had lied to me.

"No." My voice was soft and angry. I yanked the miniature of mother from my trunk and shoved it towards him. "This is my mother. She *died* giving birth to me. My father wouldn't *do* something like that." I couldn't believe that Benedict would imply something like that about you. You were faithful to mother, no matter what Selwin implied. The memory made me cold. "Everyone here has insisted since Mirelle brought me that my father or my mother was not faithful. And now even you."

I spun around, throwing myself on the bed, sobbing and muttering to myself. I couldn't believe that you had lied to me. Couldn't believe that what Benedict was telling me was true.

Benedict stood there while I cried, waiting until I had finished. Then he told me that I was Cybele's daughter, and granddaughter to Oberon, and his niece. He explained that mother died bearing your daughter, and when Cybele asked Benedict to place me with a family, Benedict offered me to you, and you adopted me.

Cybele may be my mother, but you are still my family. Benedict left shortly after, leaving me with many questions. There are so many things I still don't understand.

I thought Cybele was hated, but Benedict speaks fondly of her. I thought she was attacking Amber, but Benedict claims she was frightened to return. That Oberon sent her off to die.

Benedict didn't tell me who fathered me. I am very curious, I must admit. Did Benedict ever tell you anything about me? Never mind, you won't be able to answer that. You will never see this letter.

I still love you, father, and you will always be my father. I miss you terribly, and as soon as I can, I will come home. First, though, I have things I must learn here. Things to understand.

Your dutiful daughter,

Adrienne