Brisingr - Inheritance series, The sword
These drawings are for a project I did in which I had to take a book and draw scenes from certain parts of the novel, The only challenge was that it had to be from a lesser known series where there was very little art about said story (so no Harry Potter or Star Wars). I chose the Inheritance series from Christopher Paolini and specifically book number 3 - Brisingr, of which I enjoyed reading from quite a few years ago. The specific scene I wanted to focus on was when the main character, Eragon, acquired his own sword Brisingr.
Forging the sword
In this first drawing, Eragon requires his own Dragon Rider sword after losing the one he originally wielded. However the Elven smith Rhunon has sworn an oath that she will never forge another dragon rider sword after the last one she made was used by the evil king Galbatorix to slaughter the remainder of the Dragon Riders (and she didn't have any brightsteel left to forge one, even if she wanted to). Once Eragon and his Dragon Saphira acquire some brightsteel, Rhunon mentally controlled Eragon's body to forge it as she felt it was a loophole enough (to her at least) to make the sword without breaking her oath. Because of the urgency with which he needed it, the sword was forged in one night thanks in part to Eragon's Elf-enhanced abilities.
"Sword, I name thee Brisingr"
The second picture is of the morning after forging the sword, where Eragon awoke to see that Rhunon finished the sword (mostly handle, crossguard, and scabbard) after he had gone to rest for the remainder of the night. He spent the next few minutes admiring the sword in all it's iridescent blue beauty. When he was told to choose a name for the weapon he intially struggled to think of a good name, until he noticede a flame-like pattern marking the transition between the soft spine of the blade and its hard edges. He then chooses to name the sword Brisingr, or "fire" in the ancient language. The blade immediately (and unintentionally) burst into a saphire-blue flame startling him (as it would when only he would say it's name). Rhunon suggested that since he was a part of the forging, the sword was attuned to his wishes and part of his personality, or he discovered the sword's true name (or both).
Rhunon stated that it was the finest sword she ever made, while Saphira the dragon comment that it was a fitting sword for a dragon rider as "it breathes fire as easily as I do".
First use in Battle - The Siege on Feinster
With his sword in tow Eragon and Saphira meet back up with the Varden, the resistance army vowing to overthrow the evil king Galbatorix, as they attempt to take the city of Feinster. Unsheathing his sword and setting it ablaze, Eragon severes the wards and the portcullis of the city gates with a mighty swing, allowing the Varden to enter the city. As the sword itself has wards protecting it from heat and damage, it was left unscathed.
