7th post for Brisingr

"The opening to the cave was an irregular oval, perhaps fifty feet high and sixty feet wide. From there the chamber expanded to twice that size before ending in a good bowshot away in a pile of thick stone slabs that leaned against each other in a confusion of uncertain angles. A mat of scratches defaced the floor, evidence of the many times the Lethrblaka had taken off from, landed on, and walked about its surface. Like mysterious keyholes, five low tunnels pierced the sides of the cave, as did a lancet passageway large enough to accommodate Saphira. Eragon examined the tunnels carefully, but they were pitchblack and appeared vacant, a fact he confirmed with quick trusts of his mind. Strange, disjointed murmurs echoed from within Helgrind's innards, suggesting unknown things scurrying about in the dark, and endlessly dripping water. Adding to the chorus of whispers was the steady rise and fall of Saphira's breathing, which was overloud in the confines of the bare chamber.
The most distinctive feature of the cavern, however, was the mixture of odors that pervaded it. The smell of cold stone dominated, but underneath Eragon discerned whiffs of damp and mold and something far worse: the sickly sweet fetor of rotting meat (Paolini 40-41)."

I think this passage is definitely setting. Here Eragon, Roran and Saphira enter the cave of their enemies- the Ra'zac and their parents, the Lethrblaka. Horrible creatures- both of them. As Eragon, Roran and Saphira enter the cave, Paolini gives a quick description of the surroundings they find themselves in- thus giving a mental picture to the reader of where the "heroes" of the story find themselves in now. I am calling them "heroes" because they're on a rescue mission to save Katrina, Roran's fiancee/bride-to-be. Apparently doing this will also keep Galbatorix from gaining any sort of leverage against Eragon and Roran and therefore the Varden by using Katrina as some sort of hostage, making either Eragon or Roran do something that would undermine everything the Varden stands for. I think it's foolish of them to go into the den of their enemy aka- home turf, but wise also because they're trying to keep Galbatorix from winning this war. Wise but foolish- such a weird pairing for Paolini to make. I wonder why he decides to do this? Maybe to show that Eragon and Saphira are still young and inexperienced and therefore not ready to face Galbatorix, let alone Murtagh- Eragon's half brother? Or to show that they are maturing (by showing the wise side of their thinking when they go to rescue Katrina)? What is the point Paolini is trying to make when he has Eragon, Roran and Saphira go rescue Katrina?

-katthegreat08