Murtagh
by Christopher Paolini
Contents
IV. Dreams and Portents
Overview
Murtagh and Thorn choose not to flee Nal Gorgoth after finding evidence that the Forsworn may have been there, deciding instead that the danger must be understood for the sake of future dragons. Their search uncovers a sulfurous grove, a vast cavern, iron rings, and an altar, suggesting the Dreamers’ practices are darker than Bachel has admitted.
After narrowly avoiding detection by robed men emerging from the cave, Murtagh resolves to seek answers soon, by force if necessary. His sleep is then overtaken by visions of ancient hunger, Thorn’s trauma, Nasuada’s suffering, and Bachel approving his violence, deepening the threat that Nal Gorgoth may be manipulating his fears and guilt.
Summary
Murtagh and Thorn consider what their discovery of Saerlith’s Forsworn clasp might mean. Murtagh wonders whether Galbatorix, Morzan, and perhaps all the Forsworn came to Nal Gorgoth, and whether Bachel’s talk of fate and prophecy has more truth than Murtagh wanted to admit. Murtagh offers to leave, but Thorn argues they must learn whether this is truly a place old Riders feared, because such a danger could threaten the hatchlings at Mount Arngor.
Continuing their secret search, Murtagh and Thorn circle behind the temple and enter a warm, sulfurous grove cultivated with herbs, berries, flowers, and mushrooms. At the grove’s end, they find a huge cavern in the foothills, flanked by heavy stonework and iron rings large enough to bind a dragon. A crude basalt altar stands near the opening, and Thorn smells old meat, water, and men coming from inside.
When footsteps rise from the cavern, Murtagh extinguishes his werelight and flees with Thorn, using wind magic to smooth their tracks. They return to the temple just before four hooded men emerge and pass through the village streets. Murtagh concludes that Bachel has much to explain and that the Dreamers’ interest in the cave may be central to Nal Gorgoth’s mystery.
Back in his chambers, Murtagh cleans himself, studies Saerlith’s clasp, and reflects on whether the Dreamers were allied with the Forsworn or merely careless with a dangerous relic. Because Nal Gorgoth is too risky, Murtagh and Thorn avoid sharing their true names, and Murtagh decides to allow only a day or two more before forcing answers from Bachel by words or action.
As Murtagh sleeps, he is seized by a nightmare of an ancient, hungry horror at the bottom of a vast darkness. Thorn’s sleeping mind touches his, drawing Murtagh into Thorn’s own terrors: flight in an empty sky, attacks by eagles and dragons, pain, confinement, and hatred. The dream shifts to Nasuada, wounded by tortures Murtagh was forced to inflict, demanding to know why.
The nightmare ends on a battlefield where Murtagh and Thorn slaughter humans, Urgals, and elves with sword and fire. With each kill, Murtagh feels power growing in him. Above the battlefield, crows wheel in the smoke, and Murtagh senses Bachel watching with approval, linking his violence and guilt to her influence.
Who Appears
- MurtaghInvestigates Nal Gorgoth, finds the cavern, weighs fleeing, and suffers guilt-ridden nightmares.
- ThornUrges staying to protect future dragons and shares traumatic dreams with Murtagh.
- BachelAbsent but central; her secrets, Dreamers, and dreamlike approval deepen the threat.
- The hooded DreamersRobed men emerge from the cavern, nearly exposing Murtagh and Thorn’s investigation.
- NasuadaAppears in Murtagh’s nightmare as a wounded figure embodying his guilt.
- The temple guardsRemain magically asleep while Murtagh and Thorn return from their secret search.