The novel “The Asutra” by Jack Vance was published for the first time in 1973 serialized in “The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction” and in 1974 as a book. It’s the third book in the Durdane trilogy and follows “The Brave Free Men”.

Gastel Etzwane left the government of Durdane to devote himself to music but it seems that the problem of the Roguskhoi, the creatures that brought terror in many areas of Durdane, hasn’t been completely solved. Rumors suggest that the Roguskhoi appeared on the continent of Caraz and it’s necessary to verify their connection with the mysterious Asutra.

A new encounter with the earthling Ifness offers new information to Gastel Etzwane and the two men decide to go on a journey to solve all the mysteries. Rumors of sightings of alien spaceships above Caraz could be linked to the Asutra and Etzwane is determined to go all the way to find the truth while Ifness intends to act only through his official channels.