Booktalking Colorado - Full Booktalk Record

Booktalking Colorado Full Record:

	Title:	Ashling
	Author:	Carmody, Isabelle
	Date Published:	2001
	Genre:	Fantasy
	Grade Level:	7 - 12
	Booktalker:	Sam Marsh

Booktalk:
You wouldn't have know the gypsy woman was about to be burned at the stake if you hadn't seen the blood dripping from the slits in her arms, or the cords binding her to the stake. The gray-gowned Herder priest hissed at her, "you may have found an easy vessels in this gypsy's body, but I will drive you out." The woman laughed aloud. "You know I am not possessed, Herder. Say the truth...that you burn me because I tried to heal a baby when your own worthless treatments failed." "You used forbidden lore," he hissed. "The woman who allowed you to defile her child will also be burned for heresy." He accused, she denied, he ranted, she laughed in his face. "Beg, demon! Proclaim your guilt and the cleansing will be swift!!" "Cease your ranting, old man. Kill me so that I don't have to see your ugly face anymore." I sent Matthew back to the main road with the carriage and walked up to the Herder. "Where is her wagon?" I demanded "by right of blood." "You have proof that you are related?" he demanded. "All gypsies are brothers and sisters," I answered. The Herder reached for a torch to fire the woodpile. I was filled with rage and reached within myself for the darkest of my Misfit Talents to stun him. But, an arrow beat me to it, burying itself in his chest. I rushed to the stake, bound strips from my skirts around the fainted gypsy's arms, lifted her, shoved the acolyte out of my way and summoned Zade. The great horse knelt to receive her body as two soldier's burst through the trees. Again, my unseen helper dropped one with a deadly arrow and the other flung himself behind a cart scanning the treetops. I flung myself onto Zade's back, locked my muscles in place and sent a coercive bolt at the acolyte to erase all that he had seen...an instant after he threw the knife. All I could do was throw my head backward hoping the hilt, not the blade would hit me. A split second later, the knife hammered into my temple and the world exploded into painful pieces.