Ashling (Book 3)

Ashling is the third book in the Obernewtyn chronicles.

Publication
It was published in 1995.

Blurb
The powerful farseeker Elspeth Gordie is sent to Sutrium, seat of the council that rules the Land, to seal an alliance between the secret Misfit community at Obernewtyn and rebel forces. The journey takes her far beyond the borders of the Land, across the sea and into the heart of the mysterious desert region of Sador, where she seeks help to destroy the weaponmachines. But before her dark quest can begin, Elspeth must learn the truth of her dreams: she must understand why the Beforetimers destroyed their world.

Plot
Elspeth and Matthew witness a Gypsy woman being branded by a Faction Herder in Guanette for practicing herb lore. Elspeth, disguised as a gypsy, decides to try and rescue the woman, claiming to be blood-related to her and stall the herder while she thinks of a plan. Before she is able to stun the herder, an arrow is shot into the herders chest. Elspeth helps the unconscious gypsy woman escape aided by the unknown archer. But she is knocked unconscious by a head injury while escaping. She awakes at Obernewtyn and soon goes with the other guildmaster's to see the Reichler Clinic under Tor. Maryon then has a vision that Elspeth must return the Gypsy woman to her people within a week or else Elspeth and Obernewtyn will be in danger. Elspeth goes to Sutrium with Matthew, Maruman, Gahltha, and Jaygar. Once in Sutrium, they discover that Dragon has been following them. They then meet up with Kella and Domick at the safe house.