The Keeping Place

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The Keeping Place is a science fiction novel by Isobelle Carmody, set in a post apocalyptic world. It is the fourth book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles.

Plot

Rushton is kidnapped, by an unknown person. The Misfits receive a letter telling them that he has been kidnapped and that they will kill him if the Misfits do not join the rebellion. The Misfits think that it must be a rebel who has kidnapped him, but it was not. Rushton was initially summoned to Sutrium, and attended a rebel meeting. The rebels asked him if the Misfits would join the rebellion, but Rushton declined after a new policy the Misfits set themselves after the Battlegames in Sador (see Ashling). The Misfits join the rebellion, only to be betrayed by the Misfit-hating rebel, Malik. Many Misfits and beasts are killed by soldierguards. The rebellion is won, but the west coast is still occupied by the Council after a rebel or Misfit traitor spread the news. The Misfits could not identify the traitor, most likely because he or she wore a demon band, a tainted band made by the Herders to ward off evil, though it actually works on Misfits. Meanwhile the Misfits at Obernewtyn are having their dreams haunted by a dragon, Dragon's form on the Dreamtrails, but Dragon cannot control it. The Misfits are all in Sutrium after the rebellion and then return. Elspeth goes to the City under Mount. Tor and dives, to find a statue of herself! Made by Kasanda. Elspeth then enters Dragon's mind, with Maruman and finds Rushton in there. Elspeth learns a lot about the Red Queen, who is Dragon. After she leaves Dragon's mind, Dragon is awakened from her coma.

Characters in The Keeping Place

The story is told through the first person point of view of Elspeth Gordie.

• Elspeth Gordie, A talented Misfit, powerful coercer-beastspeaker-farseeker, Guildmistress of the Farseekers.
• Rushton Seraphim, A misfit with latent talents, Master of Obernewtyn.
• Ariel, A misfit with a defective mind, stalks Elspeth on the Dreamtrails
• Matthew, A talented Misfit, farseeker, Ward of the Farseeker Guild.
• Dameon, A blind talented Misfit, empath, Guildmaster of the Empaths.
• Ceirwan, A talented Misfit, farseeker, Guilden of the Farseeker Guild.
• Zarak, A talented Misfit, farseeker, member of the Farseeker Guild.
• Maryon, A talented Misfit, futureteller, Guildmistress of the Futureteller Guild.
• Maruman, An enigmatic cat with prophetic tendencies.
• Gahltha, A black stallion, mate of Avra, self appointed guardian of Elspeth Gordie.
• Avra, A mare, mate of Gahltha, leader of the Beastguild.
• Smoke/Rasial, A white she-dog, second in command of the Beastguild.
• Atthis, Eldar of the Agyllians.
• Kella, A talented Misfit, healer, bonded to Domick and living in Sutrium.
• Dragon, A htalented Misfit with no memory of her origins, coercer-empath, in love with Matthew.
• Brydda Llewellyn, A notorious rebel and Seditioner; also known as the Black Dog.
• Daffyd, A talented Misfit, formerly an armsman of Henry Druid, tracking down the slaver Salamander.
• Swallow, A full blooded twentyfamilies Gypsy and D'rekta of his people.
• Malik, A rebel leader from Guanette, highly prejudiced against Misfits.
• Jakoby, A tribeswoman from Sador.
• Cassandra Duprey/Kasanda, A talented Misfit from the Beforetime, a gifted seer and Futureteller.

Release details

• 1998, Australia, Viking ISBN 0-670-85358-5, Pub date ? November 1998, paperback (first edition)
• 2000, Australia, Penguin ISBN 0-14-029579-8, Pub date ? March 2000, paperback

External links

• Obernewtyn.NET The Official Obernewtyn Chronicles Fan Club
• The Obernewtyn Chronicles series listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database