They didn't need to bring the fellow with them so much as not just kill him.

And what's worse, if it had been anyone else this would be an interesting social commentary about the similarities in dynasties, but instead it reads like everyone doesn't have a clue what they're talking about. And Eragon isn't a sociopath, he's an easily lead idiot, who simply parrots any philosophy he's told, culminating in his lack of understanding of the consequences of his actions. This is better presented in the movie, where the actor has a blank expression on his face as he waits for the next thought to arrive. (Allthough I'm not sure how much of this is acting.)

I mean, the whole atheist scientist elves thing is stupid, all dwarves are the same, Urgals go from being a bunch of monsters to proud warrior race guys for no reason, and the Ra'Zac get genocided for doing the exact same thing that Dragons do, but don't get their get out of jail free card because they're not majestic. The whole race thing is poorly handled, leading to most of the non human characters totally lacking in personality. And the dialogue sounds like a mangled retelling of Shakespeare, with characters trying to say things in long winded, ponderous sentences they themselves do not understand, only lacking Shakespeare's wit and intelligence.

But whats really sad is the books attempts to be preachy. I mean, the philosophies he does express he doesn't seem to understand in a lot of depth, they frequently contradict earlier expressed beliefs, and get used in a context that does not make sense.

Thank you for giving me another place to post my hate.

I suppose it all comes down to whether you value justice or mercy more highly.

And as a firm believer of do unto others as you have done to you, and an equally firm believer in the truth that had I been begging for my life, weaponless and defeated, a solider but only because I had been forced, promising to tell no one of what I had seen… well, I gotta say that to me, mercy would be the only way.

But if you believe that the ends justify the means and that sometimes one must put their morals aside to further their goals - well, then that’s what you believe.

Secondly about the surrendering, I think you are on the right track with your arguments that there are rules that need to be followed. The surrendering troops are to be cared for and treated well. That is a big argument of yours, but Eragon can’t travel with this soldier to the Varden camp this would increase the chances of him being caught. Also he can’t release the soldier because of the above argument. Therefore even if the boy surrendered to him with out the reasons on giving away their position the soldier must still be killed. Sorry but it is a convenience kill, you can’t nor should a soldier risk themselves to transport one prisoner.

Again I hope you can write me back directly it would be nice to hear what you have to say to my specific argument.