"Murtagh" - Part III: NAL GORGOTH (XXIII-XXIV) + Part IV: OTH ORUM (I-II)

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Chapters Read:

Part III: NAL GORGOTH

• XXIII. Fire and Wind
• XXIV. Grieve

Part IV: OTH ORUM

• I. Creatures of the Dark
• II. Freedom from Misery

Finally, after so many chapters of sheer hopelessness, Murtagh and Thorn have broken free of Bachel's spells and have turned the tables in a big way, well at least they're beginning to and so far, it's going fairly well.

It's as though they're reborn. Murtagh and Thorn immediately started a ton of chaos, catching nearly everyone by surprise and forced Bachel to flee. Uvek has even joined in on the action.

Murtagh sent Thorn off to simply tear down Nal Gorgoth and my oh my is that satisfying. This place is just the worst. Thorn just started to burn and wreck everything. I mean the action after such lull (for the most part) has been very exciting! A beautiful contrast.

Unfortunately though Murtagh and Thorn can't simply leave quickly because Alín is captured by Grieve and Bachel so of course he has to try and save her which I very much understand. Murtagh also expresses a desire to get revenge on Bachel, which I MASSIVELY understand.

On his way through the Temple and into the cave and tunnel system, Murtagh slays two annoying, awful characters in Lyreth and Grieve which was most satisfying. Uvek plays a key role in defeating Grieve as Grieve was highly formidable. According to Uvek, apparently Grieve was super ancient himself. Uvek called Grieve a 'shagvrek'. Grieve was not just unpleasant but he was very strange so I'm unsurprised by this revelation. Man, I'd love to learn more about Alagaësia, there's always new things to learn about in these stories. New discoveries. It's just good fun to contemplate.

From then on, Murtagh goes solo to hunt for Bachel and rescue Alín. Uvek expressed the desire to attempt to save other Urgals throughout the village. It does seem that Uvek and Murtagh get along very well, which is cool. Uvek is very chill and of course they're blood brothers now. Thorn is too afraid to enter the tunnels because of his claustrophobia.

Murtagh says he'd like to get more answers out of Bachel, which would be very excellent. Even if Bachel is defeated, it's clear these Dreamer people and Azlagûr have many other tricks up their sleeve. Bachel said herself she's not the only Speaker, and that there's other settlements like Nal Gorgoth.

As Murtagh travels through these treacherous tunnels to hunt down Bachel, he encounters disgusting, creepy creatures unlike anything he's ever seen or heard of. Also, once AGAIN he suffers through more visions as he travels. These visions are more brief compared to when he was under Bachel's influence but yeah.

During his battle with Grieve, Murtagh recovered Zar'roc. As he travels these tunnels he has a vision where he re-experiences the time when his father sliced his back with that very sword when he was a child. That was a super rough memory to read about..... 😞😢

In very Murtagh fashion, this sort of triggers a soul searching moment and he thinks of the idea to change the name of the sword from Zar'roc, which means misery, to Ithring which means freedom. Indeed, 'Freedom from Misery' is a very clever chapter title! He also discovered his true name once again, he's really rather skilled at that. After everything he's been through, it only makes sense his name changed once again.

Renaming the sword was honestly a very epic moment on many levels. Zar'roc has had such a wild history throughout this entire series. For awhile, Eragon actually wielded it. Everyone throughout the land who has seen or heard of this sword dislikes and/or fears it. Murtagh's father Morzan committed many dark deeds with the sword and of course the name itself is rather intimidating.

Murtagh has always been conflicted about using the sword and so to change its name is just really cool and pretty clever. To name it freedom in the ancient language is pretty awesome. Murtagh is quite good at introspection and soul searching. Also, freedom can be a rather intimidating name for a sword if you think about it, just as much as it can be perceived as wholesome or heroic.

I'm so close to the end of the book nooooo....I'm sad but super excited to see how this all plays out! What will this final confrontation be like, what new information will we learn....

I still want to know who Murtagh recognized while he was in his zombie state! I wonder if we'll learn who that was at some point.

Next post will be my last Murtagh post!!! Bittersweet indeed.