A tightness formed in Eragon’s throat, and he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, as if to hide himself from the sight.
They slowly rode down the hill and through the whispering grass to the pebble beach by the ship. The hooves of the horses sounded sharp and loud against the stones.
There Eragon dismounted, as did the others. Unbidden, the elves formed two lines leading to the ship, one facing the other, and they planted the ends of their spears in the ground by their feet and stood thus, statue-like.
Eragon looked them over, and the tightness in his throat increased, making it difficult to breathe properly.
Now is the moment, said Saphira, and he knew she was right.
Eragon untied the casket of gold and gems from the back of his horse’s saddle and carried it to Roran.
“This is where we part, then?” Roran asked.
Eragon nodded. “Here,” he said, giving the casket to Roran. “You should have this. You can make better use of it than I.… Use it to build your castle.”
“I’ll do that,” said Roran, his voice thick. He placed the casket under his left arm, and then he embraced Eragon with his right, and they held each other for a long moment. Afterward, Roran said, “Be safe, Brother.”
“You too, Brother.… Take care of Katrina and Ismira.”
“I will.”
Unable to think of anything else to say, Eragon touched Roran once more on the shoulder, then turned away and went to join Arya where she stood waiting for him by the two rows of elves.
They stared at each other for a handful of heartbeats, and then Arya said, “Eragon.” She had drawn her cowl as well, and in the moonlight, he could see little of her face.
“Arya.” He looked down the silvery river and then back at Arya, and he gripped the hilt of Brisingr. He was so full of emotion, he trembled. He did not want to leave, but he knew he must. “Stay with me-”
Her gaze darted up. “I cannot.”
“… stay with me until the first curve in the river.”
She hesitated, then nodded. He held out his arm, and she looped hers through his, and together they walked onto the ship and went to stand by the prow.
The elves behind them followed, and once they were all on board, they pulled up the gangplank. Without wind or oars, the ship moved away from the stony shore and began to drift down the long, flat river.
On the beach, Roran stood alone, watching them go. Then he threw back his head and uttered a long, aching cry, and the night echoed with the sound of his loss.
For several minutes, Eragon stood next to Arya, and neither spoke as they watched the first curve in the river approach. At last, Eragon turned to her, and he pushed the cowl away from her face, so that he could see her eyes.
“Arya,” he said. And he whispered her true name. A tremor of recognition ran through her.
She whispered his true name in response, and he too shivered at hearing the fullness of his being.
He opened his mouth to speak again, but Arya forestalled him by placing three of her fingers upon his lips. She stepped back from him then and raised one arm over her head.
“Farewell, Eragon Shadeslayer,” she said.
And then Firnen swept down from above and snatched her off the deck of the ship, buffeting Eragon with the gusts of air from his wings.
“Farewell,” Eragon whispered as he watched her and Firnen fly back toward where Roran still stood upon the distant shore.
Then Eragon finally allowed the tears to spill from his eyes, and he clutched the railing of the ship and wept as he left behind all that he had ever known. Above, Saphira keened, and her grief mingled with his as they mourned what could never be.
In time, however, Eragon’s heart slowed, and his tears dried, and a measure of peace stole over him as he gazed out at the empty plain. He wondered what strange things they might encounter within its wild reaches, and he pondered the life he and Saphira were to have-a life with the dragons and Riders.
We are not alone, little one, said Saphira.
A smile crept across his face.
And the ship sailed onward, gliding serenely down the moonlit river toward the dark lands beyond.
ON THE ORIGIN OF NAMES:
To the casual observer, the various names an intrepid traveler will encounter throughout Alagaesia might seem but a random collection of labels with no inherent integrity, culture, or history. However, as with any land that different cultures-and in this case, different species-have repeatedly colonized, Alagaesia acquired names from a wide array of unique sources, among them the languages of the dwarves, elves, 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. You must learn each name 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 resident population altered the spelling and pronunciation of foreign words to conform to their own language. The Anora River is a prime example. Originally anora was spelled aenora, 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 ae (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, I have compiled the following list, 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
Alagaesia-al-uh-GAY-zee-uh
Albitr-ALL-bite-ur
Arya-AR-ee-uh
Blodhgarm-BLAWD-garm
Brisingr-BRISS-ing-gur
Carvahall-CAR-vuh-hall
Cuaroc-coo-AR-ock
Dras-Leona-DRAHS-lee-OH-nuh
Du Weldenvarden-doo WELL-den-VAR-den
Ellesmera-el-uhs-MEER-uh
Eragon-EHR-uh-gahn
Farthen Dur-FAR-then DURE (dure rhymes with lure)
Firnen-FEER-nin
Galbatorix-gal-buh-TOR-icks
Gil’ead-GILL-ee-id
Glaedr-GLAY-dur
Hrothgar-HROTH-gar
Islanzadi-iss-lan-ZAH-dee
Jeod-JODE (rhymes with load)
Murtagh-MUR-tag (mur rhymes with purr)
Nasuada-nah-soo-AH-dah
Niernen-nee-AIR-nin
Nolfavrell-NOLL-fah-vrel (noll rhymes with toll)
Oromis-OR-uh-miss
Ra’zac-RAA-zack
Saphira-suh-FEAR-uh
Shruikan-SHREW-kin
Silthrim-SEAL-thrim (sil is a hard sound to transcribe; it’s made by flicking the tip of the tongue off the roof of the mouth)
Teirm-TEERM
Thardsvergundnzmal-thard-svair-GOON-dinz-mahl
Trianna-TREE-ah-nuh
Tronjheim-TRONJ-heem
Umaroth-oo-MAR-oth
Uru’baen-OO-roo-bane
Vrael-VRAIL
Yazuac-YAA-zoo-ack
Zar’roc-ZAR-rock
THE ANCIENT LANGUAGE:
Agaeti Blodhren-Blood-oath Celebration (held once a century to honor the original pact between elves and dragons)
alfa-elf (plural is alfya)
alfakyn-the race of elves
Atra du evarinya ono varda.-May the stars watch over you.
Atra esterni ono thelduin, Eragon.-May good fortune rule over you, Eragon.
audr-up
bollr-a round object; an orb
brisingr-fire (see alsoistalri)
Dauthdaert-Death Spear: name given to the lances the elves made for killing dragons
Deloi sharjalvi!-Earth, move!
Domia abr Wyrda-Dominance of Fate (book)
draumr kopa-dream stare
drottning-queen
drottningu-princess (roughly; it’s not an exact translation)
du-the
Du Fells Nangoroth-The Blasted Mountains
Du Vrangr Gata-The Wandering Path
Du Weldenvarden-The Guarding Forest
ebrithil(ar)-master(s)
Eka ai fricai un Shur’tugal.-I am a Rider and a friend.
Eka elrun ono, alfya, wiol forn thornessa.-I thank you, elves, for this gift.
elda-a gender-neutral honorific suffix of great praise, attached with a hyphen
Elrun ono.-Thank you.
Erisdar-the flameless lanterns both the elves and the dwarves use (named after the elf who invented them)
fairth-a picture taken by magical means on a shingle of slate
fell-mountain
finiarel-an honorific suffix for a young man of great promise, attached with a hyphen.
flauga-fly (v.)
frethya-hide (v.)
ganga-go
ganga aptr-go backward
ganga fram-go forward
ganga raehta-go right
gedwey ignasia-shining palm
Gulia waise medh ono, Argetlam.-Luck be with you, Silverhand.
Helgrind-The Gates of Death
hvitr-white
illgrathr-bad hunger
islingr-light-bringer/illuminator
istalri-fire (see alsobrisingr)
jierda-break; hit
kausta-come
kverst-cut
Kverst malmr du huildrs edtha, mar frema ne thon eka threyja!-Cut the metal holding me, but no more than I desire!
ladrin-open
letta-stop
Liduen Kvaedhi-Poetic Script
mae-a fragment of a word that Eragon never finished saying
naina-make bright
Naina hvitr un bollr.-Make round white light.
Nam iet er Eragon Sundavar-Vergandi, sonr abr Brom.-My name is Eragon Shadeslayer, son of Brom.
Nidhwal-dragon-like creatures that live in the sea, related to the Fanghur
niernen-orchid
Ono ach neiat threyja eom verrunsmal edtha, O snalgli.-You do not want to fight me, O snalgli.
Se ono waise ilia.-May you be happy.
Se onr sverdar sitja hvass.-May your swords stay sharp.
Shur’tugal-Dragon Rider
slytha-sleep
snalgli-a race of giant snails
Stenr risa.-Stone, rise.
Stenr slauta!-Stone reverberate (sound)! (slauta is difficult to translate; it is a sharp, cleaving sound, like that of cracking stone, but it can also mean to make such a sound)
Stydja unin mor’ranr.-Rest in peace.
sundavrblaka-shadow-flapper
svit-kona-a formal honorific for a woman of great wisdom
thelduin-rule over
theyna-be silent
thrautha-throw
Thrysta vindr.-Compress the air.
thurra-dry (v.)
un-and
Vae weohnata ono vergari, eka thaet otherum.-We will kill you, I swear it.
Vaer Ethilnadras-a brown, free-floating seaweed with gas-filled bladders along the joints of its branching stem
vaetna-scatter/dispel
valdr-ruler
veoht-slow
verma-heat (v.)
vrangr-awry; wandering
Waise neiat!-Be not!
yawe-a bond of trust
THE DWARF LANGUAGE:
Az Ragni-The River
Az Sweldn rak Anhuin-The Tears of Anhuin
barzul-curse someone with ill fate
Beor-cave bear (elf word)
derundann-greetings
dur-our
durgrimst-clan (literally, “our hall,” or “our home”)
Erothknurl-a stone of earth (literally, “earthstone”; plural is Erothknurln)
Fanghur-dragon-like creatures that are smaller and less intelligent than their cousins, the dragons; related to the Nidhwal (native to the Beor Mountains)
Farthen Dur-Our Father
Feldunost-Frostbeard (a species of goat native to the Beor Mountains)
grimstborith-clan chief (literally, “hall chief”; plural is grimstborithn)
grimstcarvlorss-arranger of the house
grimstnzborith-ruler of the dwarves, whether king or queen (literally, “halls’ chief”)
Ilf 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
knurla-dwarf (literally, “one of stone”; plural is knurlan)
Nagra-giant boar; native to the Beor Mountains (plural is Nagran)
thardsvergundnzmal-something that appears other than it actually is; a fake or counterfeit; a sham
Tronjheim-Helm of Giants
Vor Orikz korda!-By Orik’s hammer!
THE NOMAD LANGUAGE:
no-an honorific suffix attached with a hyphen to the main name of someone you respect
THE URGAL LANGUAGE:
drajl-spawn of maggots
nar-a title of great respect
thulqna-woven straps the Urgals use to display the crests of their clans
Uluthrek-Mooneater
Urgralgra-Urgals’ name for themselves (literally, “those with horns”)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Kvetha Fricaya. Greetings, Friends.
What a long road this has been. It’s difficult to believe that the end has finally arrived. Many times, I doubted whether I would ever finish this series. That I did is due in no small part to the help and support of a great many people.
I do not exaggerate when I say that writing Inheritance has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. For a variety of reasons-personal, professional, and creative-this book presented more of a challenge than any of the previous ones. I’m proud to have completed it, and I’m prouder still of the book itself.
Looking back on the series as a whole, I find it impossible to sum up my feelings. The Inheritance cycle has consumed twelve years of my life-nearly half of it, to date. The series has changed me and my family, and the experiences I have had as a result would take another four books to recount. And now to let it go, to say goodbye to Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Nasuada, and Roran and to move on to new characters and new stories … It’s a daunting prospect.
I don’t intend to abandon Alagaesia, however. I’ve put too much time and effort into building this world, and at some point in the future, I will return to it. That may not occur for another few years, or it might happen next month. At the moment, I can’t say. When I do return to it, I hope to address a few of the mysteries that I left unresolved in this series.
Speaking of which, I’m sorry to have disappointed those of you who were hoping to learn more about Angela the herbalist, but she wouldn’t be half so interesting if we knew everything about her. However, if you ever meet my sister, Angela, you can always try asking her about her character. If she’s in a good mood, she might tell you something interesting. If not … well, you’ll probably get a funny quip nevertheless.
Right, then. Onward to the thanks:
* * *
At home: both my mom and my dad for their constant support, for their advice, and for taking a chance on Eragon in the first place. My sister, Angela, for being a wonderful sounding board for ideas, helping with editing, once again allowing me to write her as a character, and providing invaluable support during the last quarter of the manuscript. I’m in your debt, Sis, but then you knew that. Also, Immanuela Meijer for keeping me company when I was dealing with a particularly difficult section.
At Writers House: Simon Lipskar, my agent, for his friendship and all he’s done for the series over the years (I promise to start writing books a bit faster now!); and his assistant, Katie Zanecchia.
At
Knopf: my editor, Michelle Frey, for her continued trust and for making all of this possible. Seriously, without her, you wouldn’t be holding this book. Her assistant, Kelly Delaney, for making Michelle’s life easier and also for helping to pull together a synopsis of the first three books. Editor Michele Burke for her keen eye on the story and, again, helping to get this book published. Head of communications and marketing Judith Haut, without whom few people would have heard of this series. Also in publicity, Dominique Cimina and Noreen Herits, both of whom have been of great help before, during, and after my various tours. Art director Isabel Warren-Lynch and her team for their beautiful design on the cover and interior (and also their work on the paperbacks). Artist John Jude Palencar for providing such a wonderful series of covers; this last one is a great image to end on. Executive copy editor Artie Bennett for his expertise in punctuation and words small, hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian, abstruse, and coined. Chip Gibson, head of the children’s division at Random House. Knopf publishing director Nancy Hinkel for her immense patience. Joan DeMayo, director of sales, and her team (huzzah and many thanks!). Head of marketing John Adamo, whose team has continually amazed me with their creativity. Linda Leonard and her team in new media; Linda Palladino and Tim Terhune, production; Shasta Jean-Mary, managing editorial; Pam White, Jocelyn Lange, and the rest of the subsidiary rights team, who helped the Inheritance cycle become a worldwide publishing phenomenon; Janet Frick, Janet Renard, and Jennifer Healey, copyediting; and everyone else at Knopf who has supported me.
At Listening Library: Gerard Doyle, who does such a great job of giving voice to my story (I’m afraid I gave him a bit of a challenge with Firnen); Taro Meyer for her subtle and moving direction of his performance; Orli Moscowitz for pulling all the threads together; and Amanda D’Acierno, publisher of Listening Library.
Also, thanks to fellow author Tad Williams (if you haven’t, go read the trilogy Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn; you won’t regret it) for giving me the inspiration to use a slate mine in the chapters on Aroughs. And to author Terry Brooks, who has been both a friend and a mentor to me. (I highly recommend his Magic Kingdom of Landover series.)
And thanks to Mike Macauley, who has set up and run one of the best fan sites out there (shurtugal.com) and who, with Mark Cotta Vaz, wrote The Inheritance Almanac. Without Mike’s efforts, the community of readers would be much smaller and poorer than it is now. Thanks, Mike!
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