Katie H- Eragon's Mystics

 I recently delved back into the world of The Inheritance Cycle series and as that is the only thing in my head it will now become the main focus of the blog post. Thankfully the story of Eragon lends itself to the topic very well. I have stolen extracts from a paper I wrote on the subject earlier in the year, but I will expand upon them. If you are interested in reading The Inheritance Cycle, spoilers are present. 

Before going any further, it is important to note that Eragon and Saphira are considered a singular hero, not separate entities. There are linked mentally to form one conscious link shared between the two. If a rider dies, their dragon dies too, if a dragon dies, its rider loses their immortality and will eventually die. Without Eragon, Saphira would never have hatched and would have remained an egg. Without Saphira, Eragon would have become a simple farm boy in his home village. The duo is considered one hero as their shared mental link is what makes them special. This means that they share dreams, they share thoughts, and they share a calling. Paolini writes this book for children ages 12 and up, still very much within the magic of childhood but at an age to understand foreshadowing and follow more complicated and implied storylines. Paolini is writing this book for the threshold between child and young adult, where the two meet and each era in life is supported. 

The first book also uses the mentor as a storyteller of the village Eragon lived in. the storyteller is meant to mass on myths and allow them to be spread in their intact form, free from multiple interpretations. The storyteller, Brom, is the one who teaches Eragon how to scry and tells him about the existence of dragons and magic. Later Brom saves Eragon’s life and continues even after his death to protect and guide Eragon and Saphira on their journey. Brom is the perfect example of a mystic. His origin story is not fully ever explained, but parts of his life are discussed and the more you read of the series the more important from becomes. As the author describes Brom in the order of when dragon needed his help to his most important feats, I will do the same and follow in the authors pattern. Brom is originally a storyteller in a small village in the northern portion of the country. Then it is discovered that he can speak to dragons, was a dragon rider himself, helped find and protect the dragon egg Eragon found, and helped to found a country to the south and fought along side the major historical figures in the world. well after his death, Brom is openly discussed as a hero and as a mystic; though those are not mutually exclusive.