Eldest [en] i-2

by Christopher Paolini

  “Fine. Our father, how did he die?”

  Eragon had recounted the story upon several occasions. But this time he hid nothing. Instead of just listing the events, he described what he had thought and felt ever since he had found Saphira’s egg, trying to make Roran understand why he did what he did. He had never been so anxious before.

  “I was wrong to hide Saphira from the rest of the family,” Eragon concluded, “but I was afraid you might insist on killing her, and I didn’t realize how much danger she put us in. If I had... After Garrow died, I decided to leave in order to track down the Ra’zac, as well as to avoid putting Carvahall in any more danger.” A humorless laugh escaped him. “It didn’t work, but if I had remained, the soldiers would have come far sooner. And then who knows? Galbatorix might have even visited Palancar Valley himself. I may be the reason Garrow — Father — died, but that was never my intention, nor that you and everyone else in Carvahall should suffer because of my choices... ” He gestured helplessly. “I did the best I could, Roran.”

  “And the rest of it — Brom being a Rider, rescuing Arya at Gil’ead, and killing a Shade at the dwarves’ capital — all that happened?”

  “Aye.” As quickly as he could, Eragon summarized what had taken place since he and Saphira set forth with Brom, including their sojourn to Ellesméra and his own transformation during the Agaetí Blödhren.

  Leaning forward, Roran rested his elbows on his knees, clasped his hands, and gazed at the dirt between them. It was impossible for Eragon to read his emotions without reaching into his consciousness, which he refused to do, knowing it would be a terrible mistake to invade Roran’s privacy.

  Roran was silent for so long, Eragon began to wonder if he would ever respond. Then: “You have made mistakes, but they are no greater than my own. Garrow died because you kept Saphira secret. Many more have died because I refused to give myself up to the Empire... We are equally guilty.” He looked up, then slowly extended his right hand. “Brother?”

  “Brother,” said Eragon.

  He gripped Roran’s forearm, and they pulled each other into a rough embrace, wrestling to and fro as they used to do at home. When they separated, Eragon had to wipe his eyes with the heel of his hand. “Galbatorix should surrender now that we’re together again,” he joked. “Who can stand against the two of us?” He lowered himself back onto the bedding. “Now you tell me, how did the Ra’zac capture Katrina?”

  All happiness vanished from Roran’s face. He began to speak in a low monotone, and Eragon listened with growing amazement as he wove an epic of attacks, sieges, and betrayal, of leaving Carvahall, crossing the Spine, and razing the docks of Teirm, of sailing through a monstrous whirlpool.

  When at last he finished, Eragon said, “You are a greater man than I. I couldn’t have done half those things. Fight, yes, but not convince everyone to follow me.”

  “I had no choice. When they took Katrina—” Roran’s voice broke. “I could either give up and die, or I could try to escape Galbatorix’s trap, no matter the cost.” He fixed his burning eyes on Eragon. “I have lied and burned and slaughtered to get here. I no longer have to worry about protecting everyone from Carvahall; the Varden will see to that. Now I have only one goal in life, to find and rescue Katrina, if she’s not already dead. Will you help me, Eragon?”

  Reaching over, Eragon grabbed his saddlebags from the corner of the tent — where the Varden had deposited them — and removed a wooden bowl and the silver flask of enchanted faelnirv Oromis had given him. He took a small sip of the liqueur to revitalize himself and gasped as it raced down his throat, making his nerves tingle with cold fire. Then he poured faelnirv into the bowl until it formed a shallow pool the width of his hand.

  “Watch.” Gathering up his burst of new energy, Eragon said, “Draumr kópa.”

  The liqueur shimmered and turned black. After a few seconds, a thin key of light appeared in the center of the bowl, revealing Katrina. She lay slumped against an invisible wall, her hands suspended above her with invisible manacles and her copper hair splayed like a fan across her back.

  “She’s alive!” Roran hunched over the bowl, grasping at it as if he thought he could dive through the faelnirv and join Katrina. His hope and determination melded with a look of such tender affection, Eragon knew that only death could stop Roran from trying to free her.

  Unable to sustain the spell any longer, Eragon let the image fade away. He leaned against the wall of the tent for support. “Aye,” he said wearily, “she’s alive. And chances are, she’s imprisoned in Helgrind, in the Ra’zac’s lair.” Eragon grasped Roran by the shoulders. “The answer to your question, brother, is yes. I will travel to Dras-Leona with you. I will help you rescue Katrina. And then, together, you and I shall kill the Ra’zac and avenge our father.”

  END OF BOOK TWO

  THE STORY WILL CONTINUE IN BOOK THREE OF INHERITANCE

  PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

  AND GLOSSARY ON THE ORIGIN OF NAMES

  To the casual observer, the various names an intrepid traveler will encounter throughout Alagaësia might seem but a random collection of labels with no inherent integrity, culture, or history. However, as with any land that has been repeatedly colonized by different cultures — and in this case, different races — Alagaësia quickly accumulated layers of names from the elves, dwarves, humans, and even Urgals. Thus, we can have Palancar Valley (a human name), the Anora River and Ristvak’baen (elven names), and Utgard Mountain (a dwarf name) all within a few square miles of each other.

  While this is of great historical interest, practically it often leads to confusion as to the correct pronunciation. Unfortunately, there are no set rules for the neophyte. Each name must be learned upon its own terms, unless you can immediately place its language of origin. The matter grows even more confusing when you realize that in many places the spelling and pronunciation of foreign words were altered by the resident population to conform to their own language. The Anora River is a prime example. Originally anora was spelled äenora, which means broad in the ancient language. In their writings, the humans simplified the word to anora, and this, combined with a vowel shift wherein äe (ay-eh) was said as the easier a (uh), created the name as it appears in Eragon’s time.

  To spare readers as much difficulty as possible, the following list is provided, with the understanding that these are only rough guidelines to the actual pronunciation. The enthusiast is encouraged to study the source languages in order to master their true intricacies.

  PRONUNCIATION

  Aiedail — AY-uh-dale

  Ajihad — AH-zhi-hod

  Alagaësia — al-uh-GAY-zee-uh

  Arya — AR-ee-uh

  Carvahall — CAR-vuh-hall

  Dras-Leona — DRAHS lee-OH-nuh

  Du Weldenvarden — doo WELL-den-VAR-den

  Ellesméra — el-uhs-MEER-uh

  Eragon — EHR-uh-gahn

  Farthen Dûr — FAR-then DURE (dure rhymes with lure)

  Galbatorix — gal-buh-TOR-icks

  Gil’ead — GILL-ee-id

  Glaedr — GLAY-dur

  Hrothgar — HROTH-gar

  Islanzadí — iss-lan-ZAH-dee

  Jeod — JODE (rhymes with code)

  Murtagh — MUR-tag (mur rhymes with purr)

  Nasuada — nah-SOO-ah-dah

  Nolfavrell — NOLL-fah-vrel (noll rhymes with toll)

  Oromis — OR-uh-miss

  Ra’zac — RAA-zack

  Saphira — suh-FEAR-uh

  Shruikan — SHREW-kin

  Sílthrim — SEAL-thrim (síl is a hard sound to transcribe; it’s made by flicking the tip of the tongue off the roof of the mouth.)

  Teirm — TEERM

  Trianna — TREE-ah-nuh

  Tronjheim — TRONJ-heem

  Urû’baen — OO-roo-bane

  Vrael — VRAIL

  Yazuac — YAA-zoo-ack

  Zar’roc — ZAR-rock

  THE ANCIENT LANGUAGE

  adurna — water

/>   Agaetí Blödhren — Blood-oath Celebration

  Aiedail — The Morning Star

  Argetlam — Silver Hand

  Atra esterní ono thelduin/Mor’ranr lífa unin hjarta onr/Un du evarínya ono varda. — May good fortune rule over you/Peace live in your heart/And the stars watch over you.

  Atra guliä un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waíse skölir fra rauthr. — May luck and happiness follow you and may you be a shield from misfortune.

  Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya. — Let us be warded from listeners.

  Bjartskular — Brightscales

  blöthr — halt; stop

  Brakka du vanyalí sem huildar Saphira un eka! — Reduce the magic that holds Saphira and me!

  brisingr — fire

  Dagshelgr — Hallowed Day

  draumr kópa — dream stare

  Du Fells Nángoröth — The Blasted Mountains

  Du Fyrn Skulblaka — The Dragon War

  Du Völlar Eldrvarya — The Burning Plains

  Du Vrangr Gata — The Wandering Path

  Du Weldenvarden — The Guarding Forest

  dvergar — dwarves

  ebrithil — master

  edur — a tor or prominence

  Eka fricai un Shur’tugal. — I am a Rider and friend.

  elda — a gender-neutral honorific of great praise

  Eyddr eyreya onr! — Empty your ears!

  fairth — a picture taken by magical means

  finiarel — an honorific for a young man of great promise

  Fricai Andlát — death friend (a poisonous mushroom)

  Gala O Wyrda brunhvitr/Abr Berundal vandr-fódhr/Burthro laufsblädar ekar undir/Eom kona dauthleikr... — Sing O white-browed Fate/Of ill-marked Berundal/Born under oaken leaves/To mortal woman...

  gánga aptr — to go backward

  gánga fram — to go forward

  Gath sem oro un lam iet. — Unite that arrow with my hand.

  gedwëy ignasia — shining palm

  Gëuloth du knífr. — Dull the knife.

  haldthin — thornapple

  Helgrind — The Gates of Death

  hlaupa — run

  hljödhr — silent

  jierda — break; hit

  kodthr — catch

  Kvetha Fricai. — Greetings, Friend.

  lethrblaka — a bat; the Ra’zac’s mounts (literally, leather-flapper)

  letta — stop

  Letta orya thorna! — Stop those arrows!

  Liduen Kvaedhí — Poetic Script

  Losna kalfya iet. — Release my calves.

  malthinae — to bind or hold in place; confine

  nalgask — a mixture of beeswax and hazelnut oil used to moisten the skin

  Osthato Chetowä — the Mourning Sage

  Reisa du adurna. — Raise/Lift the water.

  rïsa — rise

  Sé mor’ranr ono finna. — May you find peace.

  Sé onr sverdar sitja hvass! — May your swords stay sharp!

  Sé orúm thornessa hávr sharjalví lífs. — May this serpent have life’s movement.

  skölir — shield

  Skölir nosu fra brisingr! — Shield us from fire!

  sköliro — shielded

  skulblaka — dragon (literally, scale-flapper)

  Stydja unin mor’ranr, Hrothgar Könungr. — Rest in peace, King Hrothgar.

  svit-kona — a formal honorific for an elf woman of great wisdom

  thrysta — thrust; compress

  Thrysta vindr. — Compress the air.

  Togira Ikonoka — the Cripple Who Is Whole

  the Varden — the Warders

  Vel eïnradhin iet ai Shur’tugal. — Upon my word as a Rider.

  Vinr Älfakyn — Elf Friend

  vodhr — a male honorific of middling praise

  vor — a male honorific for a close friend

  Waíse heill. — Be healed.

  Wiol ono. — For you.

  wyrda — fate

  Wyrdfell — elven name for the Forsworn

  yawë — a bond of trust

  zar’roc — misery

  THE DWARF LANGUAGE

  Akh sartos oen dûrgrimst! — For family and clan!

  Ascûdgamln — fists of steel

  Astim Hefthyn — Sight Guard (inscription on a necklace given to Eragon)

  Az Ragni — The River

  Az Sweldn rak Anhûin — The Tears of Anhûin

  Azt jok jordn rast. — Then you may pass.

  barzûl — to curse someone with ill fate

  Barzûl knurlar! — Curse them!

  barzûln — to curse someone with multiple misfortunes

  Beor — cave bear (elf word)

  dûrgrimst — clan (literally, our hall/home)

  eta — no

  Etzil nithgech! — Stop there!

  Farthen Dûr — Our Father

  Feldûnost — frostbeard (a species of goat native to the Beor Mountains)

  Formv Hrethcarach... formv Jurgencarmeitder nos eta goroth bahst Tarnag, dûr encesti rak kythn! Jok is warrev az barzûlegûr dûr dûrgrimst, Az Sweldn rak Anhûin, môgh tor rak Jurgenvren? Né ûdim etal os rast knurlag. Knurlag ana... — This Shadeslayer... this Dragon Rider has no place in Tarnag, our holiest of cities! Do you forget the curse our clan, The Tears of Anhûin, bears from the Dragon War? We will not let him pass. He is...

  grimstborith — clan chief

  grimstcarvlorss — arranger of the house

  Gûntera Arûna — Gûntera Bless

  Hert dûrgrimst? Fild rastn? — What clan? Who passes?

  hírna — likeness; statue

  hûthvir — double-bladed staff weapon used by Dûrgrimst Quan

  Ignh az voth! — Bring the food!

  IIf gauhnith. — A peculiar dwarf expression that means “It is safe and good.” Commonly uttered by the host of a meal, it is a holdover from days when poisoning of guests was prevalent among the clans.

  Ingeitum — fire workers; smiths

  Isidar Mithrim — Star Rose

  Jok is frekk dûrgrimstvren? — Do you want a clan war?

  knurl — stone; rock

  knurla — dwarf (literally, one of stone)

  Knurlag qana qirânû Dûrgrimst Ingeitum! Qarzûl ana Hrothgar oen volfild — He was made a member of Clan Ingeitum! Cursed is Hrothgar and all who—

  knurlagn — men

  Knurlhiem — Stonehead

  Knurlnien — Heart of Stone

  Nagra — giant boar, native to the Beor Mountains

  oeí — yes; affirmative

  Orik Thrifkz menthiv oen Hrethcarach Eragon rak Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. Wharn, az vanyali-carharûg Arya. Né oc Ûndinz grimstbelardn. — Orik, Thrifk’s son, and Shadeslayer Eragon of Clan Ingeitum. Also, the elf-courier Arya. We are Ûndin’s hall-guests.

  Os il dom qirânû carn dûr thargen, zeitmen, oen grimst vor formv edaris rak skilfz. Narho is belgond... — Let our flesh, honor, and hall be made as one by this blood of mine. I do pledge...

  otho — faith

  Ragni Hefthyn — River Guard

  Shrrg — giant wolf, native to the Beor Mountains

  Smer voth. — Serve the food.

  Tronjheim — Helm of Giants

  Urzhad — cave bear

  vanyali — elf (The dwarves borrowed this word from the ancient language, wherein it means magic.)

  Vor Hrothgarz korda! — By Hrothgar’s hammer!

  vrron — enough

  werg — an exclamation of disgust (the dwarves’ equivalent of ugh)

  THE URGAL LANGUAGE

  Ahgrat ukmar. — It is done.

  drajl — spawn of maggots

  nar — a gender-neutral title of great respect

  Synopsis of Eragon, Book One of Inheritance

  Eragon — a fifteen-year-old farmboy — is shocked when a polished blue stone appears before him in the range of mountains known as the Spine. Eragon takes the stone to the farm where he lives with his uncle, Garrow, and his cousin, Roran. Garrow and his
late wife, Marian, have raised Eragon. Nothing is known of his father; his mother, Selena, was Garrow’s sister and has not been seen since Eragon’s birth.

  Later, the stone cracks open and a baby dragon emerges. When Eragon touches her, a silvery mark appears on his palm, and an irrevocable bond is forged between their minds, making Eragon one of the legendary Dragon Riders.

  The Dragon Riders were created thousands of years earlier in the aftermath of the elves’ great war with the dragons, in order to ensure that hostilities would never again afflict their two races. The Riders became peacekeepers, educators, healers, natural philosophers, and the greatest of spellweavers — since being joined with a dragon makes one a magician. Under their guidance and protection, the land enjoyed a golden age.

  When humans arrived in Alagaësia, they too were added to this elite order. After many years of peace, the monstrous and warlike Urgals killed the dragon of a young human Rider named Galbatorix. Driven mad by the loss and by his elders’ refusal to provide him with another dragon, Galbatorix set out to topple the Riders.

  He stole another dragon — whom he named Shruikan and forced to serve him through certain black spells — and gathered around himself a group of thirteen traitors: the Forsworn. With the help of those cruel disciples, Galbatorix threw down the Riders; killed their leader, Vrael; and declared himself king over Alagaësia. In this, Galbatorix was only partly successful, for the elves and dwarves remain autonomous in their secret haunts, and some humans have established an independent country, Surda, in the south of Alagaësia. A stalemate has existed between these factions for twenty years, preceded by eighty years of open conflict brought about by the destruction of the Riders.

  It is into this fragile political situation, then, that Eragon is thrust. He fears he is in mortal danger — it is common knowledge that Galbatorix killed every Rider who would not swear loyalty to him — and so Eragon hides the dragon from his family as he raises her. During this time, Eragon names the creature Saphira, after a dragon mentioned by the village storyteller, Brom. Soon Roran leaves the farm for a job that will allow him to earn enough money to marry Katrina, the butcher’s daughter.