What do sides mean, really? Good or bad, black or white? Is there really a difference? Both sides are fighting for what they believe in, what they think is right. It's not really just black or white.
That's what people don't get, you see. There are millions of shades of gray. They don't see it; oh no, of course not. Our side is evil; bad, bad, always. Hah! They don't even know that it's like to live for Galbatorix, to do his dirty work!
They shouldn't be talking about anything until they've experienced it firsthand.
My name is Murtagh, I am a Rider, and Thorn is my dragon. I am the son of Morzan, who was one of the thirteen Forsworn, as well as Galbatorix's right-hand man until he was murdered by Brom.
Our side is not bad. It's dark, yeah. We do underhanded things to get what we want, sure, but everyone does, even the Varden.
Galbatorix is the king of Alegaesia. People see him as insane. Let me tell you something: he is. However, it's not just him. Shruiken is the mastermind behind it all; Galbatorix is merely his pawn. It's eerie, really, but the sad thing is, as smart and cunning and paranoid as the king is, Galbatorix has no idea what his dragon is doing to him.
Eragon, my brother, is the same as me. He's on the side of 'good'. It's not really good. The Varden don't want to just protect the people and overthrow Galbatorix. They want to change all of Alagaesia.
What I meant by mentioning the many shades of gray is that not all people are on the side of 'good' or 'bad' because they want to be. Some are bound in ways that you could never even begin to imagine. Some are forced to pick a side on account of a debt or some other issue that is tying them to the side that they don't want to be on. Some just feel obligated because a spouse or other family member supports that side. And some are just mindless pawns of one side, not caring either way, figuring that one will win, that an ancient saying, such as 'the strongest will survive' will come true.
That may be true, sure. But that saying doesn't necessarily take into account the thousands that die for each side. That lose their sanity and wills just to serve those that think that it's in their right to take control of another's lives, or many lives.
I am one such person, one of those who dwells in the millions of shades of gray.
I am Murtagh, Morzan's son, and this is my story.