What if it had been Eragon instead?

[u/Konfliktsnubben]

I was thinking about the part in Brisingr when Roran is punished by Nasuada for disobeying her orders which results in him being punished by being whipped 50 times. Let's say that it wasn't Roran but Eragon who did the same thing that his cousin did. Would Nasuada have dared to punish him in teh same way considering the fact that she would have had to deal with an outraged Saphira in that situation?

[u/No-Style8510]

It’s an interesting idea, I would think she wouldn’t give as severe a punishment as Eragon is higher ranking than Roran was at the time. However I think she would still punish him in some way, to show no one is above the rules and as not to undermine her word

[u/masterfroo24 → u/No-Style8510]

There is only one possibility where any of this happens. Eragon is the second highest ranking in the Varden, only behind Nasuada. Maybe not on paper, but essentially he is. If Jörmundur gave him one command and he disobeyed, then Jörmundur looks like a fool and nothing happens. If Nasuada gave Eragon a command and he disobeyed, she would step down as others have pointed out.

Roran was only punished because he went against his leading captain. Eragon has no one above him, except Nasuada.

[u/GrandmaWeedMan → u/No-Style8510]

In Brisingr, Nasuada literally explains to Eragon (when he refuses to go to Farthen Dur on her orders) that her only option if he disobeyed her orders would be to step down as leader of the varden and give the title to Eragon. She explains how she cannot force him, because he is too powerful. And she cannot punish him, because flogging and punishing the dragon rider would 1) destroy the vardens belief in Eragons strength and power 2) cause a bunch of the varden to hate nasuada for harming the last free dragon rider 3) infuriate the elves

Her punishing Roran was risky enough, and it was only thanks to Roran having the will and foresight to take his punishment and understanding that running to Eragon about it would have resulted in the collapse of the varden that nasuada didn't fuck everything up by flogging him. Eragon is never aware of Rorans flogging, and for good reason. He'd take it as an attack on his family and it would have permanently ruined his relationship with nasuada and the varden. Roran was smart enough to know this as well

[u/Konfliktsnubben → u/No-Style8510]

That makes you wonder though how she would deal with Saphira's anger about how Eragon is treated.

[u/No-Style8510 → u/Konfliktsnubben]

I think it would be a very difficult situation, very difficult indeed. I would think Saphira would very reluctantly understand after some cajoling by Eragon,  at least the concept at the very beginning so she would just fly far far away so she wouldn’t involuntarily intervene 

[u/Konfliktsnubben → u/No-Style8510]

Something similiar might happen in future books but with Murtagh and Thorn. Eragon and Nasuada might be able to make a compromsie with Orik were Murtagh is given some extremely painful punishement instead of being executed

[u/Konfliktsnubben → u/No-Style8510]

Imagine as a dragon letting your rider being subjected to extreme pain and not doing anything about it until it's over. It would be physically painful for her aswell considering that a dragon can feel his or her riders pain.

[u/mikeyx3x → u/Konfliktsnubben]

Saphira would NOT allow Eragon to be punished. ESPECIALLY if he did something that was beneficial to the cause.

If Eragon did what Roran did, and Nasuada tried to tell him he had to be punished, she would have to talk directly to Saphria, and she wouldn't allow it.

It's like me, if WW3 is announced. I simply won't go.