Chapter Nine (Part II) | Table of Contents | Chapter Ten (Part II)

Corneille Noire: A good day everyone, and welcome back to Eragon! Before we begin, there is the reader post to attend to:

Epistler noted that the Ra’zac “grunting” does not fit with their insect-like nature. This is also the only time in the series they do this. Consequently, I will award it this:

Forgot Your Own Canon Again?: 82

S Forgot Your Own Canon Again?: 102

Also, Tris (littlecaity) noted on the prologue that it makes little sense for Arya to abandon her guards, especially since she is supposed to be in a romantic relationship with one of them.

Forgot Your Own Canon Again?: 83

S Forgot Your Own Canon Again?: 103

Ill Logic: 117

S Ill Logic: 135

Furthermore, Chessy pointed out some things:

· On the prologue in the self-published edition: “Trees don't actually require a lot of soil to get going” (in response to Scales expressing wonder at how the trees in Du Weldenvarden can grow in thin soil.)

She also noted that “cantering slowly” is quite strangely phrased, as the canter is one of the faster gaits of a horse.

S PPP: 444

And she asked if there was any reason for them to even canter over such uneven ground. As far as I know, there is no reason for that, and I would expect them to prioritise safety over speed.

S Ill Logic: 136

· On Chapter 1, she noted that Eragon picking up the egg is not, in fact, unreasonable. So:

Ill Logic: 116

S Ill Logic: 135

She also asked why Eragon did not go to see a village elder or knowledgeable person about the egg. Yes, that is a good question, as he would have had more than enough time to visit Brom in Chapter 3. My only answer is that the plot required this to happen.

Ill Logic: 121

S Ill Logic: 140

The Power of Plot Compels You!: 60

S The Power of Plot Compels You!: 62

5 points because this is quite a significant plot point.

Tris also pointed out that Eragon stringing his bow just before he wanted to shoot is certainly legitimate, and him holding multiple arrows is not impossible.

They also pointed out that Eragon only releasing the tension from his bow after several minutes would likely be above Eragon’s physical abilities.

Why Are We Doing This?: 31

S Why Are We Doing This?: 31

And now on to this chapter—

Scales: Um, I have a new planning for you.

Corneille Noire: Again? The last one was the “definite planning”, after all.

Scales: Yes, but this one is more in line with those of the other books.

Corneille Noire: Well, if you will show it…

Scales:

Chapter 10	Flight of Destiny	Kerlois
Chapter 11	The Doom of Innocence	Fumurti
Chapter 12	Deathwatch	Fumurti
Chapter 13	The Madness of Life	Kerlois
Chapter 14	A Rider's Blade	Kerlois
Chapter 15	Saddlemaking	Kerlois
Chapter 16	Therinsford	Fumurti
Chapter 17	Thunder Roar and Lightning Crackle	Corneille Noire
Chapter 18	Revelation at Yazuac	Corneille Noire
Chapter 19	Admonishments	Fumurti
Chapter 20	Magic is the Simplest Thing	Fumurti
Chapter 21	Daret	Fumurti
Chapter 22	Through a Dragon's Eye	Fumurti
Chapter 23	A Song for the Road	Kerlois
Chapter 24	A Taste of Teirm	Corneille Noire
Chapter 25	An Old Friend	Kerlois
Chapter 26	The Witch and the Werecat	Corneille Noire
Chapter 27	Of Reading and Plots	Kerlois
Chapter 28	Thieves in the Castle	Fumurti
Chapter 29	A Costly Mistake	Corneille Noire
Chapter 30	Vision of Perfection	Corneille Noire
Chapter 31	Master of the Blade	Fumurti
Chapter 32	The Mire of Dras-Leona	Kerlois
Chapter 33	Trail of Oil	Corneille Noire
Chapter 34	Worshipers of Helgrind	Fumurti
Chapter 35	The Ra'zac's Revenge	Kerlois
Chapter 36	Murtagh	Corneille Noire
Chapter 37	Legacy of a Rider	Kerlois
Chapter 38	Diamond Tomb	Fumurti
Chapter 39	Capture at Gil'ead	Corneille Noire
Chapter 40	Du Súndavar Freohr	Fumurti
Chapter 41	Fighting Shadows	Fumurti
Chapter 42	A Warrior and a Healer	Kerlois
Chapter 43	Water From Sand	Kerlois
Chapter 44	The Ramr River	Corneille Noire
Chapter 45	The Hadarac Desert	Kerlois
Chapter 46	A Path Revealed	Fumurti
Chapter 47	A Clash of Wills	Corneille Noire
Chapter 48	Flight Through the Valley	Kerlois
Chapter 49	The Horns of a Dilemma	Fumurti
Chapter 50	Hunting for Answers	Kerlois
Chapter 51	The Glory of Tronjheim	Fumurti
Chapter 52	Ajihad	Kerlois
Chapter 53	Bless the Child, Argetlam	Corneille Noire
Chapter 54	Mandrake Root and Newt's Tongue	Corneille Noire
Chapter 55	Hall of the Mountain King	Corneille Noire
Chapter 56	Arya's Test	Corneille Noire
Chapter 57	The Shadows Lengthen	Fumurti
Chapter 58	Battle Under Farthen Dûr	Corneille Noire
Chapter 59	The Mourning Sage	Corneille Noire

Corneille Noire: It’s not that big of a change, really. But I see that now Kerlois has to do this chapter.

*calling out* Kerlois, there’s a new planning, and you need to do this one!

*Kerlois comes in*

Kerlois: Another new planning? This had better be the last one.

Scales: Yes, it is. Pinkie swear.

Kerlois: No problem, then. When is the last time you can change this up, by the way?

Scales: Between chapters 39 and 40.

Kerlois: Later than I would have wished, but whatever. Let me begin with this chapter.

Corneille Noire: Well, until chapter seventeen! *leaves*

Chapter Eleven: Flight of Destiny

Kerlois: Yes, I think I will give this a Resistance Is Futile point.

Resistance Is Futile: 2

S Resistance Is Futile: 3

I also have no idea why it is a flight of “destiny”, as there is no indication that it has been preordained in any way.

Why Are We Doing This?: 32

S Why Are We Doing This?: 32

We open on Eragon running back home, his “mind churning”. The self-published edition elaborates somewhat here, as it notes that his mind specifically churns with “possibilities”. Then, we get another thinking session. I am quite grateful that the Knopf edition removed the greater part of these.

Well, Eragon first wonders if the Ra’zac will leave for the farm immediately, or if they will wait for tomorrow. Then he thinks about Brom, and he wonders if he has seen “the mark”, and if he knows what it is. Well, given that he knew what to look for, I would guess he does. Then we get his direct thoughts, as he wonders how Brom “could [] have known that it [is] there”. He decides that maybe Brom will think it is a scar, because it looks like one.

Well, I am quite sure we could have thought of the greater part of this for ourselves.

S Thanks for Explaining: 15

Also, why does Eragon doubt whether or not Brom knows what it is? If Brom could find it this easily, I would think that he knows that very well.

S Ill Logic: 141

It almost feels like a Dead Herring in its attempts at misdirection… You know what, I will give it that.

S Dead Herrings: 82

Eragon now says that “events [are] moving too fast for him.” He is afraid that “something dreadful [is] going to happen, yet there is nothing he [can] do to stop it.”

Why be so vague? He is clearly afraid that the Ra’zac will attack, and there is nothing wrong with stating that out loud. And also, in what way is there “nothing he can do to stop it”? Could he not at least try to get Garrow to hide somewhere? And if that is true, then why is he running towards the farm to stop it from happening? He does not believe this!

S Resistance Is Futile: 4

S Why Are We Doing This?: 33

It is fine to have him be anxious about the possibility of the Ra’zac attacking, but then say that.

Anyway, he is running as fast as he can, “refusing to stop even when his breath [comes] in great gasps.” The self-published edition notes that he eventually is “forced to walk”, but even then he “pushe[s] himself to his limits, ignoring his legs’ complaints.” I genuinely wondered if he was meant to have run the entire ten miles before I saw this, so cutting this out may not have been the best idea.

PPP: 398

He casts out mentally for Saphira, but she is too far to contact. The self-published edition notes that he “[keeps] trying”. Meanwhile, he thinks about what to say to Garrow, and he decides that “[t]here [is] no choice”, and that he has to reveal Saphira.

Well, I am glad that he has decided to come clean about this. I can see how it would be hard to explain what is going on without involving Saphira, too.

The self-published edition has a scene break here. I guess this is to emphasise the importance of the decision? It was rightly removed, though.

He arrives at home, “panting for air and heart pounding”. Garrow is at the barn with Birka and Brugh. If I remember correctly, this will be the last time we will ever see them. Eragon hesitates, and wonders if he should talk to Garrow now. He reasons that Garrow will not believe him unless Saphira is there, and so he would better “find her first.” So, he walks around the farm and goes into the forest. There, he mentally calls out her name.

Saphira “dim[ly]” says that she comes. This is the first time we have seen her speak a multiple-word sentence, by the way. We could not even make room for that back in chapter 8. No, by the time we see her here, she is, for the greatest part, already adult, and she will stay that way, too. So yes, we have had her childhood entirely glossed over. Stellar plotting here.

PPP: 418

S PPP: 464

20 points because this is quite an important element to gloss over! Saphira is one of our main characters, after all! And I will give it this:

What Dragons?: 268

S What Dragons?: 268

Well, that aside, Eragon can feel “her alarm at the danger he [feels]” through her words. The Knopf edition only states he can feel her alarm. Regardless, it is still somewhat convoluted. What bothers me somewhat about this is that it is part of a larger trend where Eragon “reports” Saphira’s emotions for her, as it were. I cannot exactly find examples of it at the moment, but I am quite sure it is there. Here, for example, there is no reason not to write “Saphira was alarmed” or something like that.

What Dragons?: 269

S What Dragons?: 269

I might be seeing something that is not there, but then again, we do not have this for the other characters, so I do think this is valid.

Eragon “wait[s] impatiently” for her to come, but she arrives soon, and “land[s] among a gout of smoke.” I have no idea where the smoke is coming from. Saphira might have blown some, but I do not see why she would.

Why Are We Doing This?: 33

S Why Are We Doing This?: 34

She asks him what happened. In response, he “touche[s] her shoulder and close[s] his eyes.” He “calm[s] his mind”, and quickly tells her what has happened. And now things get very weird and contrived. As soon as he mentions the Ra’zac, Saphira recoils. She “rear[s] and roar[s] deafeningly, then whip[s] her tail over his head.” Eragon scrambles back, “surprised”, and ducks as she hits a “snow drift” with her tail. The Knopf edition changes this to “snowdrift”. Also good to see Eragon actually react to something like this. Eragon can feel “[b]loodlust and fear” coming from her in “great sickening waves”, which make him “nauseous.” She shouts: “Fire! Enemies! Death! Murderers!”.

Well, I have frankly no idea what is happening now. For context, we learn later on that the Ra’zac become Lethrblaka later in their lives, who prey on dragons among other beings. So it makes sense that she might know about this, especially because of her ancestral memories. But that does not explain why she acts like this, especially since she never does this again.

Let me explain better. I do understand why she would be afraid, as she would hardly be any match for a Lethrblaka at this point. But we will see no indication that they are in the area at the moment, and I would have expected Saphira, who can fly and has an excellent sense of smell, to have sensed them if they were there, especially since they are noted to smell like a septic tank. That is to say, if any Lethrblaka were close by, she probably should have noticed them by now, especially since the Ra’zac arrived yesterday.

I do not exactly understand her “bloodlust”. I mean, I can see that she would want to protect Eragon from the Ra’zac and maybe even kill them, but “bloodlust” seem to imply to me that she cares less about protecting him, and more about killing.

Finally, I have no idea what she is doing here. Is this supposed to be a threat display? Why is she reacting like this when does not know she is in immediate danger? And also, why is she shouting at random like this? The best thing I can think of is that the Ra’zac implanted some kind of trigger in Eragon’s mind that would make Saphira go haywire. You know what, I will accept that as canon. After all, there is no explanation for this, so if Paolini did not intend this, he should have said something to that effect.

Manual Patch Job: 47

S Manual Patch Job: 48

Reaction, Please: 57

S Reaction, Please: 57

Why Are We Doing This?: 38

S Why Are We Doing This?: 39

The last two point-sets are because no one will have a reaction to this behaviour, going forward. No wondering what happened to her, nothing.

Also, for further support of my theory, I would think that the Lethrblakya would have more than enough resources for dealing with dragons. And the Ra’zac still have their (Lethrblaka) parents, so…

Anyway, Eragon asks her what is wrong. He puts “all of his strength” in his words, “but an iron wall surround[s] her mind, shielding her thoughts so he [can] not reach them.” Why, thank you for explaining that he cannot reach her thoughts if they are shielded!

S Thanks for Explaining: 16

The Knopf edition removes the last clause here. Saphira roars again and gouges the earth. Eragon’s reaction is this: “Stop it! Garrow will hear!”

Should I talk to him now? He won’t believe me unless Saphira is here—I’d better find her first.

~Eragon, four paragraphs ago

Why do you care, Eragon?? I thought you wanted Garrow to know about her? Yes, this may not be exactly the best way to do so, but you will have Saphira there, just like you wanted. And you also have some time before he will come to get Saphira to calm down again. But no, he treats this like he has suddenly decided that he does not want Garrow to know about her, from absolutely nowhere. Because ~the plot requires it~.

PPP: 428

S PPP: 474

The Power of Plot Compels You!: 65

S The Power of Plot Compels You!: 67

The first set is there because this is just very poor writing.

Also, what a very great way to handle this. Saphira is having a panic attack, and Eragon can only yell at her to stop it? I do not get the impression that he is concerned about her in any way from this, also since he just shouted as loud as he could at her for some reason. I mean, that is exactly what he should not be doing right now.

Hell-Bound Partners: 108

S Hell-Bound Partners: 108

Saphira continues: “Oaths betrayed, souls killed, eggs shattered! Blood everywhere. Murderers!”. Hmm, this is more specific than before. My best guess is that she is somehow reliving ancestral memories of the elves attacking the dragons, as that is the only context I can think of where oaths make sense and where “shattered eggs” makes sense (Vermaanti will go into that in Eldest).

Manual Patch Job: 48

S Manual Patch Job: 49

Ah, now the mixture of “bloodlust and fear” makes sense, too. Bloodlust because she would want to attack the elves, and fear because they might be too strong.

Anyway. Eragon is now “[f]rantic”, not for Saphira’s safety, but for Garrow not to take note of her, so he blocks out her emotions and watches her tail. When it flicks past him, he runs up to her side “and grab[s] a spike on her back.” He clutches it, and then pulls himself into the hollow on her shoulders, “[holding] on tightly as she rear[s] again.” Do you really think that this will help, Eragon? Not to mention, where in the world do you think you get the right from to climb on her back without her permission? I do not care if it is “inconvenient”; just step back from Saphira, try to reassure her as best as you can, and let her be.

Hell-Bound Partners: 109

S Hell-Bound Partners: 109

No Touchy: 5

S No Touchy: 5

Then, he does this: “Enough, Saphira!” he bellowed.

1) Do you actually expect this to work, Eragon? She is already quite stressed, and adding more stress onto that will not make anything better. It only increases the chance that things get out of hand, as he might get injured, too.

Ill Logic: 122

S Ill Logic: 142

2) This is an utterly horrible way of treating her. Saphira is having a panic attack, and Eragon just yells at her. He even seems to assume that she is doing this on purpose, given that he says “enough”.

3) And the worst thing is that he never apologises for this. He does not admit that climbing on her without good reason, and yelling at her for having a panic attack was a bad thing to do. Combine that with what will follow, and it seems to send the message that doing this is just perfectly fine, it just did not work on Saphira. Yes, I very much doubt that this was what Paolini was going for, but it is what he got.

Bullyay: 30

S Bullyay: 31

Hell-Bound Partners: 114

S Hell-Bound Partners: 114

This Is Fine: 73

S This Is Fine: 74

Case in point: as soon as Eragon has done this, Saphira’s “stream of thoughts” stops. And given that this has just been implied to be at the base of why she acts like this, this does give off the message that yelling at her was good, because it helped. Anyway, Eragon goes to reassure her, by running a hand across her, and saying that everything will be alright. Why he could not have done this from the start, I do not know. Then Saphira crouches, and drives her wings down, taking flight (the narration focuses primarily on how her wings move, for some reason).

Well, there we have our titular flight. I am not surprised that she does so, if she is convinced that a massacre is taking place around her, and I do not judge her for it, either. I do have to say that the chapter title is a very bad title for what actually happens. After all, Eragon telling Saphira about the Ra’zac was not exactly predestined; if Roran had gone to Carvahall two days earlier, this flight might not have happened at all. And also, if Eragon had not climbed on Saphira’s back, he would not be involved in this now. So it is really anything but “destiny”.

Eragon yells “as the ground drop[s] away and they [rise] above the trees.” Yes, this must indeed be a shock; it is also his first time flying ever, too. And this is Saphira’s first time carrying someone while flying. A big moment, really.

Anyway, Eragon is buffeted by “turbulence”. Ah yes, a word that I see was first recorded with this meaning in 1918.

Forgot the Narrator: 16

S Forgot the Narrator: 19

This turbulence snatches his breath away, and the self-published edition notes that he grips Saphira’s neck tighter. Saphira “ignore[s] his terror” and banks towards the Spine. Good to know that he is terrified, because we did not exactly see that. Also, little wonder that she ignores his terror when she probably does not even know he is there. He “howl[s] again” as she tilts and he “[hangs] over empty air.” Oof, he might have die here if he had not held on tightly enough… Underneath him, he can see the farm and the Anora. The self-published edition has a missing comma here.

S PPP: 475

Saphira rights again, and quickly gains altitude. His “stomach convulse[s]”, even though she is flying straight again by now.

S Ill Logic: 143

He focuses on the scales in front of him, and tries “not to throw up” (thank you for that) as she keeps climbing. When she levels off, he dares to glance around.

The Knopf edition rewrites this paragraph a bit. Here, the bit about him tightening his arms is deleted, as is the bit about Eragon hanging over empty air. The Knopf edition places the bit about Eragon’s stomach convulsing here, which makes considerably more sense. The bit about Saphira righting and climbing has also been removed, and, in this edition, Eragon only tightens his arms after the turn. And it uses “vomit” instead of “throw up”.

Back to the story at hand. Eragon notes that the air is so cold that “frost accumulate[s] on his eyelashes, his fingers be[come] numb, and his coat [can] not keep him warm.” The Knopf edition only notes the first item. Yes, this might become a problem, given that he does not exactly have the means to keep himself warm. They have reached the Spine already, “faster than [Eragon thinks] possible.” He notes that from this high up, “the peaks look[] like giant razor-sharp teeth waiting to slash them to ribbons if they should fall.” The Knopf edition deletes the “if they should fall” part, which I think makes for a quite nice image indeed, and a nice indication of Eragon’s anxiety.

The self-published edition notes that the clouds around them are “painted brilliantly by the sun’s rays”, and that he can only hear the beating of Saphira’s wings. She now “wobble[s] unexpectedly”, which makes Eragon finally vomit. Well, at least it is out now… He wipes his lips, and buries his head against Saphira’s neck.

Now he gets around to trying to talk to Saphira. He “plead[s]” that they have to go back, the Ra’zac are coming to the farm, and Garrow has to be warned, before telling her to turn around. Maybe try telling her you are in danger? I think that might motivate her more. Predictably, there is no answer. Eragon then asks her where they are going. As if she would know that. And she cannot answer that, either. Eragon then yells at her to say something, at which she flies a little faster. My, it is almost like yelling at her will only make the situation worse. Who would have thought? (I do not exactly judge him for doing so now, as he is in a quite stressful situation, and he has no idea what is going on).

Now he goes for mental communication, but he is “blocked by a barrier of roiling fear and anger.” Eragon is determined to make her turn around, so “he grimly worm[s] into her mental armor.”

“He pushed at its weak places, undermined the stronger sections, and fought to make her listen, only to be rebuffed at the last moment. After an hour of work, he had accomplished nothing.”

So he tried to invade her mind for an hour. And this is his immediate reaction when he found out that he could not reach her telepathically. No attempt to get her attention by other means, not even trying to send her soothing pictures or something. No, he immediately goes for violence.

Murdered by the Convocation: 7

S Murdered by the Convocation: 8

Regarding whether or not he should do this, my impulse is to simply say “no”, but I do find that I should at least write some more words about this. So let me get my devil’s advocate out for this.

Devil’s Advocate: The harm to Saphira here is outweighed by that which could occur to Garrow.

Kerlois: The harm that could happen, mind you. For all Eragon knows, Brom might have succeeded in warning Garrow, or anything else.

Devil’s Advocate: Might, might, might. Eragon cannot know that for sure, now can he?

Kerlois: Well, let me look at the possible outcomes, then:

-Even if he managed to communicate with Saphira, there is no guarantee that she would turn around or that she would listen to reason. Also, doing this in mid-air is not the most safe proposal. He might be thrown off, and then, where would they be?

-And what, exactly, would they do? They can exert mind-control on people! They could easily keep Garrow and/or Eragon hostage, or even kill him, and while Saphira might kill them, the damage would be done.

-If he does manage to warn Garrow, what then? The Ra’zac still have an advantage over them, and they might even go back to the village and mind-control people from there. The only way to be safe from them would be to kill them, which would bring down the wrath of the Empire on them, of course. If anything, Eragon and Saphira are safest this way, as no one but them has any idea where they went.

-And Eragon has an entire hour to realise this! He knows about the mind-control! Getting him and Saphira back is as likely to misfire as not, so his best bet is to hide out for some while and hope Brom goes to warn Garrow.

Ill Logic: 123

S Ill Logic: 143

Is this enough?

Devil’s Advocate: That is true, but is it not in Saphira’s best interests to be brought out of this state? It is certainly not good on her, either.

Kerlois: Well, what did you just say? The harm to Saphira outweighs the possible benefits. Would you agree with invading someone’s mind if they are having a meltdown, for example?

Devil’s Advocate: …No.

Kerlois: Then you ought to agree that it is completely disproportionate in this case, too.

Also, the fact that Eragon is doing this for an entire hour speaks volumes about how much he cares about Saphira’s wellbeing.

Well, that was that. It might not have been the fairest match, but it did work to draw out the things I wanted to say.

I just want to point out again that Eragon has no qualms about trying to get into Saphira’s mind, and does this for over an hour, despite numerous reasons that he could easily have thought of during that time… I do not know what to say. Yes, it is mitigated by the fact that he did not succeed in breaking through, and I do believe that he genuinely thinks it is the best option, but it is still disturbing and just wrong. And no, he will not ever apologise for this, either.

Hell-Bound Partners: 124

S Hell-Bound Partners: 124

Look Away: 344

S Look Away: 351

Oh, and let this be the introduction of a count that will be quite necessary later on: Give Me A Piece of Your Mind. This will go for all the times that someone (tries to) invade another’s mind, something that is treated much too lightly for my taste.

Give Me a Piece of Your Mind: 1

S Give Me a Piece of Your Mind: 1

Anyway. I am almost at the point where I can break… I see the Knopf edition removes the mention of “an hour”, and only says it was “to no avail”. I still stand by my points: doing this in the first place was not good, and Eragon should have plenty of time to think of the things I said.

The self-published edition has another extra bit here. Eragon asks her “[i]n resignation” (and with a missing comma)—

S PPP: 476

—to, “if [she] won’t do anything else”, at least fly closer to the ground, because he cannot stand the cold. Well, does that not sound lovely passive-aggressive. Again, she is not doing this on purpose, Eragon, so you can stop being so awful to her anytime now.

S Hell-Bound Partners: 125

“With a flicker of recognition”, she then flies further down. Because for some reason Eragon asking this does penetrate to her, while anything else does not? What is going on here? And if he can ask this, why can she not turn back to the farm?

S Forgot Your Own Canon Again?: 104

S Why Are We Doing This?: 40

The Knopf edition wisely omits this bit, which makes me quite sure that this was simply a flub.

The self-published edition opens the next paragraph with Eragon daring another look around, which is cut in the Knopf edition due to the aforementioned change. Anyway, they are now in the Spine proper. The mountains “form tremendous white walls broken by granite cliffs.” There are glaciers “like frozen rivers”, and there are “[l]ong valleys and ravines”. Yes, exactly what I could come up with myself already.

“Far below him”, he can also hear “the dismayed screech of birds as Saphira soar[s] into view”. Um, how in the world can he hear that from whatever height he is at, despite the sound Saphira makes, and the wind? Yes, for the self-published edition, I might assume that he was reasonably close by, since Saphira went to fly lower, but it still says “far below”. I mean, this is just not possible.

PPP: 429

S PPP: 477

Why Are We Doing This?: 39

S Why Are We Doing This?: 41

Also:

Paoclichés: 14

S Paoclichés: 17

This because “X dragon frightens flock of birds” occurs quite often, even when it makes little sense, like here.

Well, Eragon can see a herd of “wooly goats” bound from ledge to ledge on “a rocky bluff”. The Knopf edition changes “wooly” with one l to “woolly” with two. The self-published edition adds some more. It says the goats “stare[] motionlessly” as Saphira glides past. So I assume the stopped in the meanwhile? It is not exactly clear… Saphira rocks, and he holds on tighter with his legs. He says that the land below is “unrecognisable”, though he knows he has hiked through it. Again, this is all somewhat interesting, and I will not give it a point for dragging on, but I do not mind that it was cut either.

This edition says next that “[r]iding a dragon [is] an uncomfortable experience”, and we go back to shared things. Eragon gets battered by the wind from Saphira’s wings, and whenever she moves her neck, “he [is] tossed from side to side.” Why? If she would move her neck to the left, for instance, why would he be tossed to the right? And how can he even be tossed around, when he is holding her neck and clamping with his legs? Yes, it would be quite difficult to maintain his grip, but this is just ridiculous.

PPP: 430

S PPP: 478

Why Are We Doing This?: 40

S Why Are We Doing This?: 42

The self-published edition says that he eventually gets bored as the sun begins to set, “setting clouds afire with deep oranges and golds.” His stomach keeps unsteady (nice), though “it [does] give him moments of peace.” He then notes that “Saphira’s wings seem[] tireless.” Not the rest of her body; just her wings. The Knopf edition amends this line to Saphira seeming tireless.

Eragon says he is afraid she will fly through the night, which is certainly a reasonable concern. When darkness falls, though, “she tilt[s] into a shallow dive.” And this is where I will stop for the time being.

I will see you next time, as a very unexpected complication occurs, and Eragon continues to be horrible.