Red Brick Commentary

[mara_dienne459]

I'm not sure there's much to say about this chapter that isn't already said. Eragon swears himself in as Head Lackey and that's about it.

 Chapter Eight: Fealty

 

Eragon opens this chapter by yawning. It isn’t said whether he’s yawning because he’s tired or bored, but I like to think that he’s bored. Apparently they’re in a giant underground amphitheater and lots of people are here discussing the funeral that just ended.

 

Eragon sat on the lowest tier, level with the podium. With him were Orik, Arya, Hrothgar, Nasuada, and the Council of Elders. Saphira stood on the row of stairs that cut upward through the tiers. Leaning over, Orik said, “Ever since Korgan, each of our kings has been chosen here. It’s fitting that the Varden should do likewise.” 

 

Wait, time out. What does that line “it’s fitting the Varden should do likewise” mean? Does it mean that the Varden have never used this place until now to select their leaders? Because that’s what it sounds like. Like Nasuada is special because she gets all this pomp and circumstance, but Ajihad got nothing. The dude before him just said “you’re leader now” and died. It would make more sense if Ajihad had also been chosen as successor here, so Nasuada gets the same treatment. I could understand Brom not doing it because his successor was basically just a handing of the reins so Brom could go out and do shit and people wouldn’t catch on that he was more or less immortal. But if this is where dwarf rulers are chosen, I would think they’d be very twitchy about the Varden using it for themselves. Because this is a holy place to them. Their gods appear here to crown their rulers. Why would they let any old person come in and use it? This doesn’t make sense to me. They could’ve built a stage outside Tronjheim since the outside could hold everyone comfortably. They didn’t need to use this place at all.

 

It’s yet to be seen, thought Eragon, if this transfer of power will remain peaceful. He rubbed an eye, brushing away fresh tears; the funeral ceremony had left him shaken. 

 

Fuck, even Garrow didn’t get this much boo-hooing. Eragon didn’t know Ajihad from Adam, and while I can understand being sad - because that’s the mood of the day and humans are generally empathetic creatures - but Eragon shouldn’t be crying over Ajihad. He shouldn’t have any feelings beyond gratitude for the man. If anything, he should be crying over Murtagh, but again, he doesn’t, because he didn’t feel for Murtagh that much in the first place.

 

Besides the sorrow he’s apparently feeling, he’s also now feeling anxiety. So much so that he’s got tummy troubles. He’s worried about his own role in the upcoming events and if all went the way it’s supposed to, they’re going to make a lot of enemies. So his hand drops to Zar’roc to make sure it’s still there.

 

It took several minutes for the amphitheater to fill. Then Jörmundur stepped up to the podium. “People of the Varden, we last stood here fifteen years ago, at Deynor’s death. His successor, Ajihad, did more to oppose the Empire and Galbatorix than any before. He won countless battles against superior forces. He nearly killed Durza, putting a scratch on the Shade’s blade. And greatest of all, he welcomed Rider Eragon and Saphira into Tronjheim. However, a new leader must be chosen, one who will win us even more glory.” 

 

Gee, I wish Orik had explained this back in the first paragraph. That Deynor chose Ajihad to succeed him right here fifteen years ago. That would’ve made me think differently than what I thought then. But no. Can’t steal a character’s limelight, now can we? And what did Ajihad do? Seriously? If he did shit we as readers certainly never saw it. If his battle with Durza was in recent memory we certainly never heard about it, and you’d think that sort of thing would be a great recruitment tool for the Varden. “Come join us! Our leader fought a Shade and lived!” And wait... win the Varden glory? What are they, the Spartans? Jormundur should be saying something like “to lead us to victory over Galbatorix and to freedom from tyranny and oppression” or some shit like that. Glory? What do they want glory for? I didn’t join the Varden for glory. I joined it to save my family and try to depose Galbatorix and fix what’s broken.

 

Someone high above shouted, “Shadeslayer!” 

 

Really? Why him? Why this kid you’ve only known for - at most - two weeks? He killed a Shade, big deal. He still hasn’t proven himself a capable leader. You’re basically giving him the position because of what he is, not who he is. That’s no way to decide leadership. It isn’t like this is a position of inheritance — oh, wait, yes it is. Because they’re just giving it to Nasuada, just because she’s Ajihad’s daughter.

 

Eragon tried not to react—he was pleased to see that Jörmundur did not even blink. He said, “Perhaps in years to come, but he has other duties and responsibilities now. No, the Council of Elders has thought long on this: we need one who understands our needs and wants, one who has lived and suffered alongside us. One who refused to flee, even when battle was imminent.” 

 

In years to come? You really think the Varden - or Eragon, for that matter - are going to last for years? At that point, you might as well seek to become part of Surda or establish your own country, because you’re gonna end up in the same situation Alagaesia is if you make Eragon leader of the Varden. And technically he does become leader - albeit temporarily - when Nasuada is abducted, but he doesn’t actually do anything because he goes to find the vault during that. So... you can argue he’s not “officially” leader of the Varden. Also, all that Jormundur says at the end? That could literally be anyone in the organization. Anyone who didn’t jump at the chance to go or who was forced to go. It isn’t just Nasuada.

 

At that moment, Eragon sensed comprehension rush through the listeners. The name came as a whisper from a thousand throats and was uttered by Jörmundur himself: “Nasuada.” With a bow, Jörmundur stepped aside. 

 

How does everyone already know it’s her? Like it could be anyone. Anyone! But somehow they know it’s Nasuada? 

 

Arya steps up next and says on behalf of her queen, she recognizes Nasuada as the next leader of the Varden, and publicly offers her the support and friendship Ajihad enjoyed, which is technically none at all. Hrothgar’s next and says pretty much the same thing, although without that friendship and support part, and then it’s Eragon’s turn. He says he supports Nasuada and Saphira growls to accentuate his statement.

 

Pledges spoken, the Council of Elders lined themselves on either side of the podium, Jörmundur at their head. Bearing herself proudly, Nasuada approached and knelt before him, her dress splayed in raven billows. Raising his voice, Jörmundur said, “By the right of inheritance and succession, we have chosen Nasuada. By merit of her father’s achievements and the blessings of her peers, we have chosen Nasuada. I now ask you: Have we chosen well?” 

 

By the right of inheritance and succession? What is she, a princess? This isn’t right, not in a military organization. She’s untried and untrained, and therefore shouldn’t even be considered for a position of leadership. By the achievements of her father? What about her achievements? The achievements that everyone apparently knows about but shouldn’t, because she did all those in secret. The only thing everyone should know about is her fighting with the archers at the Battle of Farthen Dur, and that alone doesn’t warrant her ascension.

 

The roar was overwhelming. “Yes!”

 

Jörmundur nodded. “Then by the power granted to this council, we pass the privileges and responsibilities accorded to Ajihad to his only descendant, Nasuada.” He gently placed a circlet of silver on Nasuada’s brow. Taking her hand, he lifted her upright and pronounced, “I give you our new leader!” 

 

See!? Princess to a queen! Leaders of rebel organizations do not get circlets of silver. They do not get crowns! They get a fancy title and shitty responsibilities. This is like... a portent of what’s going to happen at the end of the books, and Nasuada doesn’t deserve to lead and she doesn’t deserve to be queen! Maybe if she did something. Maybe if she was a good leader, but she’s not. This is absolutely awful.

 

For exactly ten minutes there’s nothing but cheering and applause from the Varden and the dwarves, and then once they quiet down, it’s time for Eragon to fulfill the promise he made to the Council about fealty and stuff like that. Suddenly all that nervousness Eragon was feeling disappears and he heads toward Jordy and Nasuada. He stares at the rest of the Council and describes to us how they’re wearing half-smiles and are very smug, but for whatever reason, Sabrae is showing disdain and I’m not sure if it’s for Eragon or for the situation. I feel like we’re supposed to assume it’s for Eragon himself, but considering how the Council acted earlier, I feel like it’s disdain for the situation. Anyway, we’re also told Arya is behind the council members and she nods in support.

 

We are about to change history, said Saphira. 

 

What history? What history is she talking about? Because this isn’t something to be proud of, what they’re about to do. They’re sealing the fates of the Riders to come, and forcing them to be of service to whoever rules Alagaesia. They are no longer free or separate. Like... any Rider who comes along now, if they stay in Alagaesia, will be obligated to be at the beck and call of the crown, rather than serving the land as whole, like they’re supposed to.

 

Eragon compares what they’re about to do to base jumping off a cliff without knowing how deep the water below is and Saphira just laughs it off and compares it to a glorious flight, whatever that means.

 

With a brief look at Nasuada’s serene face, Eragon bowed and kneeled. Slipping Zar’roc from its sheath, he placed the sword flat on his palms, then lifted it, as if to proffer it to Jörmundur. For a moment, the sword hovered between Jörmundur and Nasuada, teetering on the wire edge of two different destinies. Eragon felt his breath catch—such a simple choice to balance a life on. And more than a life—a dragon, a king, an Empire! 

 

Maybe it’s me, but I don’t understand this last line at all. He’s balancing his life and Saphira’s for sure, as well as the Varden’s existence, but he says here he’s just balancing one life? And a dragon, a king, and an Empire? What does that mean? I’m guessing he means that he’s risking the unhatched dragon, Galby, and the land on this choice? Like it’s really vague to me. It could mean just about anything. 

 

Then his breath rushed in, filling his lungs with time once again, and he swung to face Nasuada. “Out of deep respect... and appreciation of the difficulties facing you... I, Eragon, first Rider of the Varden, Shadeslayer and Argetlam, give you my blade and my fealty, Nasuada.” 

 

And there he goes. Making a choice that’s going to have extreme consequences from here on out. Also, first Rider of the Varden? At that point, he’s already declared that he’s serving the Varden as a whole and it ought to stop there. And he keeps giving himself titles - and okay, these last two were given to him, but still - why does he need to announce everything? He’s not that special. 

 

His announcement strikes everyone else silent and dumb, and we get to see the Council go from triumphantly gleeful to enraged in a swift second. They hate him now, if we can infer that by their “glares” that burn with “the strength and venom of those betrayed”. Technically Eragon never betrayed them because he never actually promised that he would swear loyalty to them, just that he would swear loyalty. Only Jordy seems to accept Eragon’s announcement with any kind of tact and grace. Nasuada accepts his allegiance because of course she would, and with shouts of approval, Eragon gets his sword back from Nas and goes to stand next to Saphira. Then Nasuada addresses the Varden. She promises that she’ll give her life to the cause and she’ll keep fighting until the urgals are vanquished (that changes for sure by the end of this book) and until Galby is dead, and until Algalag is free again. Which also doesn’t happen, technically. One tyrant is replaced by another. Her speech continues:

 

“Therefore, I say to you, now is the time to prepare. Here in Farthen Dûr—after endless skirmishes—we won our greatest battle. It is our turn to strike back. Galbatorix is weak after losing so many forces, and there will never again be such an opportunity. 

 

Uh, what forces did he lose, exactly? None of his human forces. Just the urgal forces. I mean, it’s stated that the Imperial army outnumbers the Varden almost three to one. That’s why Nasuada works to get the urgals into the Varden, and does what she does to gain control over the wandering tribes, and welcomes the werecats into the Varden. She’s so desperate for bodies that she doesn’t care about their well-being. So long as they fight for her, what does she care? She’s being way preemptive here, because none of what she’s saying is true. She’s raring to go, not realizing she could be making a huge mistake.

 

She finishes her speech with saying the Varden need to prepare so they can stand victorious again, and then there’s a bit of a time delay gap. We’re then told that there’s more speeches, and then everyone gets to go home. Eragon starts to go, but Orik stops him and asks him if he planned his fealty thing before all this happened. Eragon briefly wonders about the wisdom of letting that particular cat out of the bag, then confirms Orik’s suspicion. Orik says it was bold and that his choosing to back her already gave Nas a strong position. He also says it was dangerous to do, considering the reactions of the Council, and then he asks if Arya approved it. Eragon says:

 

“She agreed it was necessary.”

 

I don’t know why she did. I mean, she basically gave Eragon the okay to enslave himself to the whim of a teenage girl dying to prove herself and become the ultimate ruler of the universe. Beyond which, Arya had to have been aware of the firestorm this would start, what with all the other races now going to scramble to get their hooks in him so he’s pledged to everybody. All this could’ve been avoided if Eragon had been just a touch smarter and pledged himself to the cause or the country instead. 

 

The dwarf studied him thoughtfully. “I’m sure it was. You just altered the balance of power, Eragon. No one will underestimate you again because of it.... Beware the rotten stone. You have earned some powerful enemies today.” He slapped Eragon on the side and continued past. 

 

Powerful enemies? The Council that we never see or hear from again? That impotent Council? They don’t ever make a move against him or try to touch him. They just... fade into the background and that’s it. Their moment in the light is done. Eragon and Saphira have nothing to fear from them at all, and yet they - for just a minute - treat the Council with kid gloves just on the off chance the Council might do something to them.

 

Saphira says something about preparing to leave because the council could want revenge, and the sooner their out of their reach, the better it will be, and the chapter ends.