Might it have been possible for Bartimaeus to erect a shield around Nathaniel in the last split second of his time on earth? Considering the force of the blast it probably wouldn't have protected him that much but possibly enough to help him survive? Maybe he even borrowed some of Nathaniel's energy to construct it?

You can't put a shield around a dying soul/spirit/person/whatever. At least, it's not mentioned in the book. Haven't read Ptolemy's Gate recently, but wasn't there a collapse of iron and glass, so the iron would negate the spell either way.

Fantasy2194 wrote: You can't put a shield around a dying soul/spirit/person/whatever. At least, it's not mentioned in the book. Haven't read Ptolemy's Gate recently, but wasn't there a collapse of iron and glass, so the iron would negate the spell either way.

Ok I wasn't really sure about that. I was wondering if it was possible but I guess not.

it might be possible.. bart could have erected a shield that instant...just when he was dismissed.. nat might just have survived though with meagre chances...well wish hes alive!
mwah to nat!

Good thinking, but I have to say highly unlikely that he did and if he did, if the shield would hold out.

Nero wrote: Good thinking, but I have to say highly unlikely that he did and if he did, if the shield would hold out.

Yeah I didn't really think the shield would do much considering Nat's state of being, but I just thought it might help him just enough to survive although, they didn't search the wreckage to see if he was actually alive.

Quite frankly, It wouldn't have a whelks' chance in a supernova.

Dansariki wrote: Quite frankly, It wouldn't have a whelks' chance in a supernova.

First of all how in the world would a whelk get even remotely near a supernova?...Its a shellfish, I don't think they fly...

I'm sure it's an expression, don't take things so seriously.
Why should they check the wreckage? If a ton of glass and iron from a building collapsed on you, would you be alive? And as I said, the iron would prevent the shield from being used.

By the way, how would he "borrow" Nathaniel's energy? Sure you aren't thinking of "Eragon" or something?

Fantasy2194 wrote: I'm sure it's an expression, don't take things so seriously.


By the way, how would he "borrow" Nathaniel's energy? Sure you aren't thinking of "Eragon" or something?

Ok for one thing, I was joking, "don't take things so seriously."

And I dunno it seemed like he was using Nat's energy when they were traipsing around in the 7 league boots.

<_< You got me there.

You mean the end? Well, that involved pentacle work, when Nathaniel summoned Bartimaeus into his own body... I guess the idea could work, because when Nathaniel used the staff, Bartimaeus was still in his body. I don't know about "using his energy" but Bartimaeus could control him. The chances are small that Bartimaeus could've done such a thing. Ah well, I think Nat's death was appropriate for the ending.

Yup