If there is anyone out there still reading this I am sorry it took so long to update. Been going through some stuff.

So here we are starting Revelations. It is my fav game in the series. I hope you all like how I handle it.

Six Years Later…

The wind blew through her hair as the young woman held on tightly to the frame of the cable car. She had missed the dry, hot breezes of Tomahna. As the car sped along, she pondered the events of the past few days that had brought her back to Tomahna.

After her adventures in chasing Saveedro and saving Releeshan, Melody had left Tomahna and moved to Tay. She told herself it was because she needed a change of pace, and to get away from Atrus' locks and security systems, but the truth was that after their confrontation after she had returned from Narayan Melody had wanted to be near Trace. After several years living and working in the same Age together, and discovering some new ones, they had both freely admitted they cared about each other. Unfortunately they had nearly the same temperament and could both argue a point into the ground. Neither ever wanted to concede and after a fight they usually ended up not speaking for days. That was usually when Melody went off exploring or came to visit Atrus, Catherine and Yeesha in Tomahna.

This was one of those times. After the particularly scathing argument they'd had, Melody had been relieved to receive Atrus' letter. It gave her the perfect excuse to get away for a while.

She frowned thoughtfully. While welcome, the letter was very confusing. Not to mention downright shocking.

My dear friend,

For many years I've harbored a secret. People talk about my sons, the evil things they did. But still I remain strangely mute. I do not discuss my own actions that day, nor the rage I felt as I burned the two linking books that ensnared them. Most people believe my sons died in those fires, but the truth is: they did not.

You're the only one I can confide in my friend. So I'm asking you to come to Tomahna. There are things I must tell you, about my sons.

Atrus

Melody had had to read the letter several times in order to make sense of it. After the shock had worn off, anger quickly set in.

Sirrus and Achenar were still alive?!

And Atrus had known and not told her?!

She hadn't told Trace what the letter was about, only that Atrus needed her. They'd still been angry with each other at the time, so Trace hadn't asked any questions, in fact he hadn't even tried to stop her from going or insist he come along. That alone said how angry he was.

The worry briefly crossed her mind that they might not be able to reconcile this time.

"This part is really cool if you're not afraid of tight spaces. Dad and me aren't, but sometimes Mom has to close her eyes when I'm driving."

Melody looked to her side at her driver. Yeesha had grown to an adorable and precocious six-year-old. Catherine must not have been at home because Yeesha had been able to convince her father to let her pick up Melody by herself. Of course Yeesha could convince Atrus to just about anything. Such was the power of a little girl with her father.

For security reasons, Atrus had moved all of the linking books to Tomahna out to a linking chamber he had built quite a distance from the canyon where their home was built. In order for someone to gain access to their home they had to link inside the chamber, which was surrounded by bars and press a button. This button was connected to a screen that was in Atrus' lab. Once he confirmed who you were, either Atrus or Catherine would come on the cable car to retrieve their visitor.

Or in this case, Yeesha came.

"I'm guessing she's not here then," Melody finally said. "Or else your dad would have been the one to come and get me."

Yeesha grinned. "Yeah, she went to Tay for a few days. Something about Uncle Trace being in a foul mood and Mom needed to talk some sense into him."

Melody hid her smile behind her hand. If anyone could straighten Trace out, it was Atrus' lovely wise wife Catherine.

"You've got the image recorder Dad gave you!" Yeesha said excitedly. "I know just the spot to use it!"

Melody looked down at the object hanging around her neck. The ever absent-minded scientist, Atrus had been trying to invent a device that recorded animal sounds and had instead created a camera by mistake. Melody had eagerly accepted it as a gift and had been driving Trace and everyone else on Tay crazy by taking pictures. Atrus had been thrilled at all the photos she'd taken of different Ages. Trace had learned the hard way not to touch or try to erase the pictures on Melody's camera.

The cable flew over the river between the canyon walls and through a tight tunnel, finally stopping right in front of the opening to the box canyon where Atrus and Catherine's home was built.

Yeesha smiled. "Isn't Tomahna pretty from here?" she asked, fiddling with her necklace. "I remember some of the other times you visited us, you always liked stopping here. It's one of my favorite spots too."

It was beautiful. With the water flowing through the opening into a waterfall and the sight of the small circular buildings built onto the walls inside the box canyon, it made a breathtaking scene. Melody breathed deeply of the clean air and closed her eyes, listening to the roar of the waterfall.

"Go ahead," Yeesha said. "Take a picture. Just make sure your thumb isn't in the lens. Dad always ruins his pictures that way."

Melody raised the camera and snapped a shot of the scene.

"You should keep it in your journal," Yeesha suggested. "That way you can look at it whenever you miss us."

Melody looked at the little girl in wonder. Sometimes it was hard to believe Yeesha was only six years old. She spoke so much older than her years at times.

Yeesha restarted the cable car and they went upward to Atrus observatory/lab. When the car swung to a stop, Yeesha jumped out and ran toward the door. "I'll let Dad know you're here," she said, pulling a lever to open the door and racing inside.

Yeah, Melody thought. She couldn't wait to give him several pieces of her mind.

True to form, Atrus' lab was full of large machines and strange contraptions. A large long desk made up one whole side of the place, the desk was covered in papers, beakers, books, and different experiments.

Hearing footsteps, Melody turned to see the absent minded professor himself coming up the stairs.

"Hello my friend," he said warmly. "You've made it in one piece so Yeesha's driving wasn't too erratic I hope."

Melody folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Alright Atrus, spill it. What is this all about?"

Sensing he was in trouble, Atrus stepped back and clasped his hands behind his back. "The truth is… I need your help."

Melody rolled her eyes. "So what else is new?"

Because she had a twinkle in her eyes, Atrus smiled. "As you recall, Sirrus and Achenar were trapped nearly ten years ago after they had destroyed many of the Ages in my keeping."

"I thought they were dead," Melody said sternly. "You told me they were dead."

"At first I thought they were. It was only after Yeesha was born that I discovered that they had been merely trapped in the space between the link. When I burned the trap books, they travelled all the way to the prison Age and have been trapped there all this time, surviving on their own."

"And you just decided not to tell me about this?" Melody asked accusingly.

Atrus looked sad. "I am truly sorry for keeping this from you, but at the time Catherine and I decided to keep them imprisoned, hoping it would reform them. Now Catherine believes our sons should be released. But I need an objective opinion. I must find out whether Sirrus or Achenar deserve to be freed. You're the only one we can trust."

"But Atrus," Melody protested. "I'm not objective. They lied to me and tried to trick me into releasing them. After seeing everything they did in the Ages they destroyed and after all the horrors they committed against Saveedro and the people of Narayan, how could you expect me to ever consider freeing them?"

"Their time in the prison Ages seems to have reformed them," Atrus insisted. "They seem remorseful for everything they have done. I believe…"

"Hold it," Melody said, holding up her hand. "What do you mean 'seem remorseful'? Are you telling me you have spoken to them?"

Atrus looked uncomfortable.

Melody eyed him. "Atrus?" she asked warningly.

"I managed to write a barred linking chamber into both of the Ages," he confessed. "Catherine and I have been visiting them there for the past seven years."

Melody's mouth slid open in shock. "Seven years…? Seven years?!" Atrus winced at her shout. "Are you telling me that you have been visiting the psychopathic brothers for seven years and haven't told me?!"

"We thought it best not to involve you at the time…"

Melody clapped a hand to her forehead, trying to remind herself that Atrus was her friend. "You keep this a secret from me? Me?! The person who's supposed to be your great friend! The only one you can trust!?"

Atrus, being a wise man, stayed far out of reach. "You are my friend Melody. A man couldn't ask for a greater or truer friend."

"And what did you tell Yeesha when you were having tea parties with killers? Does she even know she has brothers?"

Atrus looked so guilty Melody narrowed her eyes, then opened them wide in shock. "No… Do not tell me you had that sweet innocent child around those maniacs."

Atrus shifted uncomfortably. "She was never alone with them."

"Atrus!" Melody bellowed. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but how could you be that stupid?! What if they had done something to her, said something horrible? Especially Achenar! We both know he's not right in the head! She could have been scarred for life!"

"They have been nothing but kind to her. Sirrus even taught her to play chess. As for Achenar, he speaks kindly to her and smiles when she tells him things she has done."

Melody snorted. "You and I both know they are world class actors."

"That is why I need your help," Atrus insisted. "You have not seen them in nearly ten years. You saw through them once before. I know that once you visit them, speak to them, you will be able to tell if they are faking their seeming reform."

"But Atrus I am part of the reason they have been trapped. They must hate me."

Atrus smiled. "That's just it. They have asked about you repeatedly. They have both expressed interest in speaking to you. Sirrus in particular wants to apologize for what he did and has done that has caused you distress."

"Distress," Melody said darkly. "Is putting it mildly."

"Please my friend," Atrus said, a pleading look in his eyes. "You have helped me so many times. I know I have no right to ask this of you. But if you could find it in your heart to help me once again…"

Melody rolled her eyes. "Oh stop it with the guilt trip."

He brightened. "You will help me?"

She sighed deeply. "What choice do I have? You're my friend."

Atrus grinned. "You are a most wonderful person Melody."

"Yeah, yeah," she said. "I'm still mad at you."

But because she loved him, Melody followed him as he began to talk excitedly about his crystal viewer. "Do you remember it? I've made some changes. Now you can not only see an Age, but hear it as well. I can show you the two prison Ages before we link there. The sound module just needs a little more fine-tuning. If you could…"

Melody sighed. "What do you need me to do?"

Atrus smiled and pointed to a contraption on the desk. It had two screens and several levers. The idea was simple. The waveform of the Age appeared on one screen and she had to use the levers to adjust the machines waveform to match it. Unfortunately the frequencies needed to be pinpoint accurate to work, which required a lot of trial and error.

"By the way," Atrus said as they worked. "How is Trace these days?"

"The same stubborn, egotistical moron he's always been."

Atrus laughed. "I see you two had another fight. I thought Catherine going to Tay would have quieted things."

"She kept us from killing each other… for now."

"What was the fight about this time?"

"Is the phase right yet?"

Understanding her perfectly, Atrus dropped the subject and continued to work on the machine. He'd known Melody for so long he could tell when certain subjects were dangerous territory and when he needed to tread lightly.

Before long they had both frequencies for the prison Ages up and running. But when they stepped toward the viewing panel a shower of sparks shot at them as the machine shorted out. Smoke rose from the panel.

"Hmm," Atrus commented as he bent to inspect the machine. "The image modulator short-circuited. The wires are completely fused." He seemed to be talking more to himself than to her and Melody had to smile. "The viewer itself seems okay. So maybe if I link to Rime…" he trailed off and turned to her. "Alright, slight change in plans my friend. The explosion must have shut down the main power supply damaged the viewer's external modulator. There's another one on Rime so I am going to link there and retrieve it. I'll have to stop at the Cleft for some tools first. Why don't you get full power restored while I'm gone?"

Melody looked out the window that over looked the whole area. "Do you still run on hydropower from the water wheel?"

"Yes. Go to the water wheel control and reset the controls. Then you'll have to flip the breakers and then return here and use to viewer to contact me on Rime. The crystal combination for Rime is in my journal."

He took a few steps toward the stairs, then turned back. "Oh and you'll have to turn on the roof antenna before the viewer will work." He took a few more steps, then turned back to her. "And keep an eye on Yeesha."

"Alright Atrus," Melody said exasperated but smiling. "I promise I won't sell her to the gypsies while you're gone."

He looked at her sharply. "The what?"

"Never mind. Just go, everything will be fine."

He looked unsure, but left just the same. Before heading down to fiddle with the water wheel, Melody decided to read the journal Atrus had left in the drawer of the desk. He had said the code for Rime was there, and plus she wanted to see what he had really been up to all these years and if there was anything else he had been keeping from her :

I am always surprised by how good it feels to return home after one of my journeys. In the day heat shimmers off the cliffs, bathing me in unexpected warmth. At night, gentle breezes stir the lake and I often hear Catherine singing to Yeesha. The sound of their voices fills me with such joy. I find myself wondering why I ever left.

Perhaps I am more aware of this tonight, having spent so much time alone in Rime. The trip was unavoidable. It has been weeks since I viewed Sirrus and Achenar's prison Ages, and I needed to be assured of their safety. The crystal viewer did not show much, so I began considering how I might improve it. I am now fairly certain I can achieve a tighter image if I redesign the mechanism itself.

I have yet to tell Catherine of these plans. I do not want to raise her hopes prematurely.

After far too brief a visit with my family I have returned to Rime to conduct preliminary tests. The frigid temperatures in this Age are vital for the crystals to function, yet I find it increasingly difficult to work in the cold. Perhaps I can find a way to simulate extreme temperatures inside the viewer itself, so I can install it in Tomahna when ready.

Tonight I sat aside experimentation for a few hours to watch the lights illuminate Rime's sky. Their beauty has not dimmed since I first saw them. I could not fully enjoy the show however, for it put in mind of Sirrus and Achenar and the months we spent here constructing the towers. Soon, what had been a happy memory for me was mired in regret.

I doubt I will ever know what caused my sons to become so greedy. I only know that when they looked at the Ages described in my library - fantastic worlds one could travel to easily simply by touching a book's linking panel - they saw only dreams of wealth and power. They devised a plan. An evil plan. When my back was turned, they linked to my Ages, plundered and destroyed them.

I know Sirrus and Achenar must pay a price for these crimes, yet it gives me no joy to picture them stranded on the two uninhabited Ages I wrote to protect my library from thieves. I only hope that my sons will someday reject their wicked yearnings and find it in their hearts to reform.

Not a chance, Melody thought coldly.

Melody has come to visit us for a while. Her and Trace have had another argument. They fight like children sometimes. It follows the same pattern: they fight, Melody comes here and after a few days Trace comes and gets her.

I love these visits of my dear friend, but it makes it more difficult to work on my project. Melody is such a bright and inquisitve young woman. She always wants to help me. She soaks knowledge up like a sponge. Thankfully playing with Yeesha and helping Catherine with her plants has kept Melody busy.

I feel terrible keeping such a secret from her, but knowing her feelings for Sirrus and Achenar I am afraid it would cause her distress if she knew. And if Sirrus and Achenar have not reformed I want to shield Melody from them. Her safety and happiness are of as great importance to me as my own families.

Melody snorted. She was still mad at him.

After experimenting with several liquid gases I found a pressure variable that should allow the crystal viewer to work on Tomahna. Tomorrow I link to Releeshan to enlist help from the Guild of Machinists. Melody wants to go with me, but Catherine has convinced her to visit Jelis to see how Pence and Amery are doing with the colony they are forming there. Hopefully Trace will come for her soon to patch up whatever argument they've had so I will not have to feel so underhanded around her.

Catherine was unusually subdued when I showed her the new blueprints. She trusts that the viewer will work, but wishes we could visit our sons in person. I would like that as well, but until I am convinced of remorse I cannot risk their escaping.

I was fairly certain the evaporator coils would work and indeed I was able to attain a blurry image of Spire within the new viewer's screen. Unfortunately a more power suppressor is needed to stabilize the image.

Goldmaster Andritus suggested that I install several geodes inside the roof of the Observatory, then use an antenna to focus them. This should amplify the clean frequency enough to that the crystal viewer can work.

Success! Not only was I able to view both Spire and Haven, but I also saw my laboratory on Rime quite clearly. The crystal code for Rime was difficult to remember, having not had much reason to use it previously. I must make a full list of codes soon, but for now I will keep Rimes close at hand.

I always knew my sons had great potential, but today I saw something that truly amazed me. Sirrus is harnessing electricity! At least that is what I assume, for the viewer caught a brief glimpse of something I have never seen before in his Age. It had to be a man-made construction!

A burst of interference destabilized the image before I could study the device properly, but it's existence offers proof that at least one of my sons is making the most of his confinement, rather than wallowing in despair.

Melody felt uneasy reading that passage. Out of the two brothers, Sirrus had always seemed to be the smarter and more dangerous. She really hoped he had reformed, because the access to electricity was not something you wanted a psycho to have.

The interferences effect is curious. It has disrupted my viewing of Ages on more than one occasion. Although I first assumed it to be a problem with the geodes, I now believe it to be subsonic in origin. I think the roof antenna is picking up wave fluctuations in one or more Ages. If this is true, I might be able to use the flucuations to hear what is occurring in an Age. I shall have to think on this carefully. I wish I could discuss this problem with Melody. Although she sometimes has trouble understanding the physics of things, she has a fresh way of looking at things that has helped me solve problems in the past.

But you didn't feel like I could handle the truth did you? Melody asked inwardly. She shook her head. Atrus had meant well. He always meant well. But for all of his brains, he severely lacked common sense at times.

It has been an exciting two weeks. Catherine, Yeesha and I have just returned from Releeshan where I spent most of my time conversations with various Guildmasters.

I am now convinced that the shape and color of the crystals gives them individual resonance signatures. By combining the rosonances of five crystals together, I can discover a global pattern of emissions - a sound signature as it were - that is unique to the Age being viewed. Guildmaster Andritus assisted me in drawing up plans for a filtration panel that will enable to antenna to hone in on whatever wave fluctuations I want. I truly will be able to listen to an Age!

Tomorrow I begin building the panel. I have decided to use Rime as it's present configuration, since that is the Age which first enabled me to construct a crystal viewer.

The panel is finished, but I am too tired to test it tonight.

Catherine tried to hide it, but the sounds we heard coming from Achenar's prison Age nearly brought her to tears. Once again I had to reassure her of his safety. My words eventually convinced her, but I know she longs for more substantiate proof. I fear she may take matters into her own hands soon. I must confess I too long for more information than the viewer is currently providing. Tomorrow I shall link to Rime. I have an idea for an attachment - something akin to a "moving eye" - that will allow me to change the points of view while using the crystal viewer. If it works I may finally be able to see if my sons have reformed.

The crystal code to Rime was on the last page. Melody replaced the journal in the desk. She could understand Atrus and Catherine wanting to see their sons again. No matter how horrible they were, Sirrus and Achenar were still their sons and they loved them. The thought of them being in danger must not have been easy for them. And she grudgingly admitted that she understood why Atrus had kept it from her.

She was still mad at him.

Melody headed for the elevator that led down to the lower levels. It was time to check on Yeesha.

So some time has passed, things have changed, others have not. Don't worry there will be more on Trace and Melody and their fight later. See you for the next chapter!