Eragon, Chapters 37-40
Legacy of a Rider
Diamond Tomb
Capture at Gil'ead
Du Sundavar Freohr
These chapters were pretty intense and full of changes. But what else is new? The past half year for Eragon has been nuts.
The brutal and exciting journey continues in a big way for Eragon. There's some interesting, fun changes in these chapters too, but for now I'll focus on the more brutal parts of this part of this section of the book.
Eragon does a lot of things well that I had not originally remembered.
Legacy of a Rider and Diamond Tomb turn out to be two of the most impactful chapters of maybe the entire series. Brom dies. It is obviously pretty incredibly sad. What particularly set this death apart for me was just the sheer brutality and swiftness of Brom's death. It just feels so all of a sudden in many ways. The simplicity and composure that Brom has in his last moments are just admirable and bittersweet.
In Brom's final moments, we learn that Brom was once a Rider, which I kind of totally forgot which is sooooo stupid of me! Also, knowing that Brom is Eragon's father makes these final moments even more impactful.
Brom must feel as though his long and most important mission is complete. As screwed up as it might seem I almost feel a tiny bit happy for Brom. He dovoted his life to not only the betterment of Alagaesia and the return of the Riders, but he got to be there for his own son in his final months of life. It's as if the last of the old guard, the story we never experienced as readers, ends and now it is Eragon, Saphira, and Murtagh's turn to sort of takeover I guess.
Also, I find it so fascinating that Murtagh and Brom and Eragon all cross paths at this point in time. Yes, death was involved when it comes to Brom, but I feel like the trio were together to help each other in a mad way. Brom was friends with Murtagh's father Morzan for a time. Eragon and Murtagh are half brothers although they are unaware at the time of course. So crazy. It's like a wild family reunion in a way. I wonder if Brom even recognized who Murtagh was in his state. Murtagh eventually put two and two together. I wonder how this made him feel.
Inheritance Cycle man, so trippy. There's a lot of fascinating ways to look at these chapters.
I remember reading this the first time as a kid. I did not feel to strongly about Brom back then. I found him a bit too stern for my own liking. He felt like a random stranger bossing Eragon around. But of course Eragon had respect for Brom as he was a storyteller in Carvahall.
I also found it mildly odd and inappropriate that Eragon felt such loyalty and such connection with Brom when really they only knew each other for so long. I guess Brom did teach Eragon a lot and saved his life either directly or indirectly many many times. Also, Brom was nice at times. i guess it bothered me slightly considering Garrow was really the one who raised Eragon in my opinion.
But, considering the circumstances Brom did his best and saw the big picture. Brom was Eragon's father but also had a major mission for the whole of Alagaesia. There was not time to be cute and cuddly with Eragon. Also, no parent is perfect.
Now, the journey continues with the mysterious Murtagh. Eragon is locked up in a cell, and has to plot his escape. He meets the Shade and has seen the elf in his dreams. This book is seriously cooking now. The Shade is so creepy!!!
Can't wait to continue.
"And now, for the greatest adventure of all....."
Even a man who seems like a regular, even simple, storyteller can have a remarkable story.
