Nasuada shrugged. "I could not say, but I am sure it must be possible. From now on, you will work on devising a method. Nothing else is as important."

Eragon felt Arya studying him with unusual concentration. Unsettled, he made a questioning face at her.

"I always wondered," said Arya, "why Saphira's egg appeared to you, and not somewhere in an empty field. It seemed too great a coincidence to have occurred purely by chance, but I could not think of any plausible explanation. Now I understand. I should have guessed that you were Brom's son. I did not know Brom well, but I did know him, and you share a certain resemblance."

"I do?"

"You should be proud to call Brom your father," said Nasuada. "By all accounts, he was a remarkable man. If not for him, the Varden wouldn't exist. It seems fitting that you are the one to carry on his work."

Then Arya said, "Eragon, may we see Glaedr's Eldunari?"

Eragon hesitated, then went outside and retrieved the pouch from Saphira's saddlebags. Careful not to touch the Eldunari, he loosened the drawstring at the top and allowed the pouch to slide down around the golden, gemlike stone. In contrast to when he had last seen it, the glow within the heart of hearts was dim and feeble, as if Glaedr were barely conscious.

Nasuada leaned forward and stared into the swirling center of the Eldunari, her eyes gleaming with reflected light. "And Glaedr is really inside of here?"

He is, said Saphira. said Saphira.

"Can I speak with him?"

"You could try, but I doubt he would respond. He just lost his Rider. It will take him a long time to recover from the shock, if ever. Please leave him be, Nasuada. If he wished to speak with you, he would have done so already."

"Of course. It was not my intention to disturb him in his time of grief. I shall wait to meet him until such time as he has regained his composure."

Arya moved closer to Eragon and placed her hands on either side of the Eldunari, her fingers less than an inch away from its surface. She gazed at the stone with an expression of reverence, seemingly lost within its depths, then whispered something in the ancient language. Glaedr's consciousness flared slightly, as if in response.

Arya lowered her hands. "Eragon, Saphira, you have been given the most solemn responsibility: the safekeeping of another life. Whatever happens, you must protect Glaedr. With Oromis gone, we shall need his strength and wisdom more than ever before."

Do not worry, Arya, we won't allow any misfortune to befall him, Saphira promised. Saphira promised.

Eragon covered the Eldunari with the pouch again and fumbled with the drawstring, exhaustion rendering him clumsy. The Varden had won an important victory and the elves had taken Gil'ead, but the knowledge brought him little joy. He looked at Nasuada and asked, "What now?"

Nasuada lifted her chin. "Now," she said, "we will march north to Belatona, and when we have captured it, we will proceed onward to Dras-Leona and seize it as well, and then to Uru'baen, where we will cast down Galbatorix or die trying. That is what we shall do now, Eragon."

After they left Nasuada, Eragon and Saphira agreed to leave Feinster for the Varden's camp so that they could both rest undisturbed by the cacophony of noises within the city. With Blodhgarm and the rest of Eragon's guards ranged around them, they walked toward the main gates of Feinster, Eragon still carrying Glaedr's heart of hearts in his arms. Neither of them spoke.

Eragon stared at the ground between his feet. He paid little attention to the men who ran or marched past; his part in the battle was finished, and all he wanted to do was lie down and forget the sorrows of the day. The last sensations he had felt from Glaedr still reverberated through his mind: He was alone. He was alone and in the dark. . . . Alone! He was alone. He was alone and in the dark. . . . Alone! Eragon's breath caught as a wave of nausea swept over him. Eragon's breath caught as a wave of nausea swept over him. So that is what it's like to lose your Rider or your dragon. No wonder Galbatorix went insane So that is what it's like to lose your Rider or your dragon. No wonder Galbatorix went insane.

We are the last, Saphira said. Saphira said.

Eragon frowned, not understanding.

The last free dragon and Rider, she explained. she explained. We are the only ones left. We are . . . We are the only ones left. We are . . .

Alone.

Yes.

Eragon stumbled as his foot struck a loose stone he had overlooked. Miserable, he closed his eyes for a moment. We can't do this by ourselves, We can't do this by ourselves, he thought. he thought. We can't! We're not ready We can't! We're not ready. Saphira agreed, and her grief and anxiety, combined with his, nearly incapacitated him.

When they arrived at the city gates, Eragon paused, reluctant to push his way through the large crowd gathered in front of the opening, trying to flee Feinster. He glanced around for another route. As his eyes pa.s.sed over the outer walls, a sudden desire gripped him to see the city in the light of day.

Veering away from Saphira, he ran up a staircase that led to the top of the walls. Saphira uttered a short growl of annoyance and followed, half opening her wings as she jumped from the street to the parapet in a single bound.

They stood together on the battlements for the better part of an hour and watched as the sun rose. One by one, rays of pale gold light streaked across the verdant fields from the east, illuminating the countless motes of dust that drifted through the air. Where the rays struck a column of smoke, the smoke glowed orange and red and billowed with renewed urgency. The fires among the hovels outside the city walls had mostly died out, although since Eragon and Saphira had arrived, the fighting had set a score of houses within Feinster ablaze, and the pillars of flame that leaped up from the disintegrating houses lent the cityscape an eerie beauty. Behind Feinster, the shimmering sea stretched out to the far, flat horizon, where the sails of a ship plowing its way northward were just visible.

As the sun warmed Eragon through his armor, his melancholy gradually dissipated like the wreaths of mist that adorned the rivers below. He took a deep breath and exhaled, relaxing his muscles.

No, he said, he said, we are not alone. I have you, and you have me. And there is Arya and Nasuada and Orik, and many others besides who will help us along our way we are not alone. I have you, and you have me. And there is Arya and Nasuada and Orik, and many others besides who will help us along our way.

And Glaedr too, said Saphira. said Saphira.

Aye.

Eragon gazed down at the Eldunari that lay covered within his arms and felt a rush of sympathy and protectiveness toward the dragon who was trapped inside the heart of hearts. He hugged the stone closer to his chest and laid a hand upon Saphira, grateful for their companionship.

We can do this, he thought. he thought. Galbatorix isn't invulnerable. He has a weakness, and we can use that weakness against him. . . . We can do this Galbatorix isn't invulnerable. He has a weakness, and we can use that weakness against him. . . . We can do this.

We can, and we must, said Saphira. said Saphira.

For the sake of our friends and our family- -and for the rest of Alagaesia- -we must do this.

Eragon lifted Glaedr's Eldunari over his head, presenting it to the sun and the new day, and he smiled, eager for the battles yet to come, so that he and Saphira might finally confront Galbatorix and kill the dark king.

HERE E ENDS THE T THIRD B BOOK OF THE I INHERITANCE C CYCLE.

THE S STORY W WILL C CONTINUE AND C CONCLUDE IN B BOOK F FOUR.

ON THE O ORIGIN OF N 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 p.r.o.nunciation. 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 p.r.o.nunciation of foreign words to conform to their own language. The Anora River is a prime example. Originally anora anora was spelled was spelled aenora, aenora, which means which means broad broad in the ancient language. In their writings, the humans simplified the word to in the ancient language. In their writings, the humans simplified the word to anora, anora, and this, combined with a vowel shift wherein and this, combined with a vowel shift wherein ae ae (ay-eh) was said as the easier (ay-eh) was said as the easier a a (uh), created the name as it appears in Eragon's time. (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 p.r.o.nunciation. The enthusiast is encouraged to study the source languages in order to master their true intricacies.

p.r.o.nUNCIATION: Ajihad-AH-zhi-hod Alagaesia-al-uh-GAY-zee-uh Arya-AR-ee-uh Blodhgarm-BLAWD-garm Brisingr-BRISS-ing-gur Carvahall-CAR-vuh-hall 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 rhymes with lure lure) 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 load) Murtagh-MUR-tag (mur rhymes with rhymes with purr purr) Nasuada-nah-soo-AH-dah Nolfavrell-NOLL-fah-vrel (noll rhymes with rhymes with toll 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) is a hard sound to transcribe; it's made by flicking the tip of the tongue off the roof of the mouth) Skgahgrezh-skuh-GAH-grezh Teirm-TEERM Trianna-TREE-ah-nuh Tronjheim-TRONJ-heem Uru'baen-OO-roo-bane Vrael-VRAIL Yazuac-YAA-zoo-ack Zar'roc-ZAR-rock THE A ANCIENT L LANGUAGE: Adurna risa.-Water, rise.

Agaeti Blodhren-Blood-oath Celebration (held once a century to honor the original pact between elves and dragons) alfa-kona-elf woman athalvard-an organization of elves dedicated to the preservation of their songs and poems Atra du evarinya ono varda, Dathedr-vodhr.-May the stars watch over you, honored Dathedr.

Atra esterni ono thelduin, Eragon Shur'tugal.-May good fortune rule over you, Eragon Dragon Rider.

Atra gulia un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waise skoliro fra rauthr.-May luck and happiness follow you and may you be shielded from misfortune.

audr-up Bjartskular-Brightscales Blodhgarm-Bloodwolf brisingr-fire Brisingr, iet tauthr.-Fire, follow me.

Brisingr raudhr!-Red fire!

deyja-die draumr kopa-dream stare drottningu-princess Du deloi lunaea.-Smooth the earth/dirt.

Du Namar Aurboda-The Banishing of the Names Du Vrangr Gata-The Wandering Path edur-a tor or prominence Eka eddyr ai Shur'tugal . . . Shur'tugal . . . Argetlam.-I am a Dragon Rider . . . Dragon Rider . . . Silver Hand.

Eka elrun ono.-I thank you.

elda-a gender-neutral honorific suffix of great praise, attached with a hyphen Eldhrimner O Loivissa nuanen, dautr abr deloi/Eldhrimner nen ono weohnatai medh solus un thringa/Eldhrimner un fortha onr feon vara/Wiol allr sjon.-Grow, O beautiful Loivissa, daughter of the earth/Grow as you would with sun and rain/Grow and put forth your flower of spring/For all to see.

Eldunari-the heart of hearts Erisdar-the flameless lanterns both the elves and the dwarves use (named after the elf who invented them) faelnirv-elven liqueur 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 fram-forward Fricai onr eka eddyr.-I am your friend.

ganga-go Garjzla, letta!-Light, stop!

gedwey ignasia-shining palm Helgrind-The Gates of Death Indlvarn-a certain type of pairing between a Rider and dragon jierda-break; hit konungr-king Kuldr, risa lam iet un malthinae unin bollr.-Gold, rise to my hand and bind into an orb.

kveykva-lightning lamarae-a fabric made by cross-weaving wool and nettle threads (similar in construction to linsey-woolsey, but of higher quality) letta-stop Liduen Kvaedhi-Poetic Script loivissa-a blue, deep-throated lily that grows in the Empire maela-quiet naina-make bright nalgask-a mixture of beeswax and hazelnut oil used to moisten the skin Nen ono weohnata, Arya Drottningu.-As you will, Princess Arya.

seithr-witch Shur'tugal-Dragon Rider slytha-sleep Stenr risa!-Stone, rise!

svit-kona-a formal honorific for an elf woman of great wisdom talos-a cactus found near Helgrind thaefathan-thicken Thorta du ilumeo!-Speak the truth!

vakna-awaken vodhr-a male honorific suffix of middling praise, attached with a hyphen Waise heill!-Be healed!

yawe-a bond of trust THE D DWARF L LANGUAGE: Ascudgamln-fists of steel Az Knurldrathn-The Trees of Stone Az Ragni-The River Az Sartosvrenht rak Balmung, Grimstnzborith rak Kvisagur-The Saga of King Balmung of Kvisagur Az Sindriznarrvel-The Gem of Sindri barzul-curse someone with ill fate delva-a term of endearment among the dwarves; also a form of gold nodule indigenous to the Beor Mountains that the dwarves greatly prize dur-our durgrimst-clan (literally, "our hall," or "our home") durgrimstvren-clan war eta-no Eta! Narho udim etal os isu vond! Narho udim etal os formvn mendunost brakn, az Varden, hrestvog dur grimstnzhadn! Az Jurgenvren qathrid ne domar oen etal-No! I will not let that happen! I will not let these beardless fools, the Varden, destroy our country. The Dragon War left us weak and not- Fanghur-dragon-like creatures that are smaller and less intelligent than their cousins (native to the Beor Mountains) Farthen Dur-Our Father Feldunost-frostbeard (a species of goat native to the Beor Mountains) Galdhiem-Bright/shining head Ghastgar-spear-throwing contest akin to jousting and fought on the backs of Feldunost grimstborith-clan chief (literally, "hall chief "; plural is grimstborithn grimstborithn) grimstcarvlorss-arranger of the house grimstnzborith-ruler of the dwarves, whether king or queen (literally, "halls' chief ") huthvir-double-bladed staff weapon used by Durgrimst Quan Hwatum il skilfz gerdumn!-Listen to mine words!

Ingeitum-fire workers; smiths Isidar Mithrim-Star Rose (the star sapphire) knurla-dwarf (literally, "one of stone"; plural is knurlan knurlan) knurlaf-woman/she/her knurlag-man/he/him knurlagn-men Knurlcarathn-stoneworkers; masons Knurlnien-Stone Heart Ledwonnu-Kilf's necklace; also used as a general term for necklace necklace menknurlan-unstone ones/those who are not, or are without, stone (the worst insult in Dwarvish; cannot be directly translated into English) merna-lake/pool Nagra-giant boar, native to the Beor Mountains Nal, Grimstnzborith Orik!-Hail, King Orik!

ornthrond-eagle eye Ragni Darmn-River of Small Red Fish Ragni Hefthyn-River Guard Shrrg-giant wolf, native to the Beor Mountains Skilfz Delva-Mine Delva (see delva delva for translation) for translation) thriknzdal-the temper line on the blade of a differentially tempered weapon Tronjheim-Helm of Giants un qroth Guntera!-Thus spoke Guntera!

Urzhad-giant cave bear, native to the Beor Mountains Vargrimst-clanless/banished Vrenshrrgn-War Wolves werg-the dwarves' equivalent of ugh ugh (used humorously in the place name Werghadn; (used humorously in the place name Werghadn; Werghadn Werghadn translates as either "the land of ugh" or, more liberally, "the ugly land") translates as either "the land of ugh" or, more liberally, "the ugly land") THE N NOMAD L LANGUAGE: no-an honorific suffix attached with a hyphen to the main name of someone you respect THE U URGAL L LANGUAGE: Herndall-Urgal dams who rule their tribes namna-woven strips containing Urgal family narratives that are placed by the entrances to their huts nar-a t.i.tle of great respect Urgralgra-Urgals' name for themselves (literally, "those with horns")

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Kvetha Fricaya. Greetings, Friends.

Brisingr was a fun, intense, and sometimes difficult book to write. When I started, I felt as if the story were a vast, three-dimensional puzzle that I had to solve without hints or instructions. I found the experience to be immensely satisfying, despite the challenges it occasionally posed. was a fun, intense, and sometimes difficult book to write. When I started, I felt as if the story were a vast, three-dimensional puzzle that I had to solve without hints or instructions. I found the experience to be immensely satisfying, despite the challenges it occasionally posed.

Because of its complexity, Brisingr Brisingr ended up much larger than I antic.i.p.ated-so much larger, in fact, that I had to expand the series from three books to four. Thus, the Inheritance trilogy became the Inheritance cycle. I'm pleased with the change too. Having another volume in the series has allowed me to explore and develop the characters' personalities and relationships at a more natural pace. ended up much larger than I antic.i.p.ated-so much larger, in fact, that I had to expand the series from three books to four. Thus, the Inheritance trilogy became the Inheritance cycle. I'm pleased with the change too. Having another volume in the series has allowed me to explore and develop the characters' personalities and relationships at a more natural pace.

As with Eragon Eragon and and Eldest, Eldest, I never would have been able to complete this book without the support of a whole host of talented people, to whom I am ever grateful. They are: I never would have been able to complete this book without the support of a whole host of talented people, to whom I am ever grateful. They are:

At home: Mom, for her food, tea, advice, sympathy, endless patience, and optimism; Dad, for his unique perspective, razor-sharp observations on story and prose, helping me to name the book, and for coming up with the idea of having Eragon's sword burst into flame every time he says its name (very cool); and my one and only sister, Angela, for once again consenting to reprise her character and for numerous pieces of information on names, plants, and all things wool.

At Writers House: Simon Lipskar, my agent, for his friendship, his hard work, and for giving me a much-needed kick in the pants early on in Brisingr Brisingr (without which I might have taken another two years to finish the book); and his a.s.sistant Josh Getzler for all he does on behalf of Simon and the Inheritance cycle. (without which I might have taken another two years to finish the book); and his a.s.sistant Josh Getzler for all he does on behalf of Simon and the Inheritance cycle.

At Knopf: my editor, Mich.e.l.le Frey, who did an awesome job of helping me to clean up and tighten the ma.n.u.script (the first draft was much much longer); a.s.sociate editor Michele Burke, who also labored over the editing and who helped pull together the synopsis of longer); a.s.sociate editor Michele Burke, who also labored over the editing and who helped pull together the synopsis of Eragon Eragon and and Eldest; Eldest; head of communications and marketing Judith Haut, who from the beginning spread word of the series throughout the land; publicity director Christine Labov; art director Isabel Warren-Lynch and her team for again putting together such a cla.s.sy-looking book; John Jude Palencar for a majestic cover painting (I don't know how he can top it with the fourth book!); executive copy editor Artie Bennett for checking every word, real or invented, in head of communications and marketing Judith Haut, who from the beginning spread word of the series throughout the land; publicity director Christine Labov; art director Isabel Warren-Lynch and her team for again putting together such a cla.s.sy-looking book; John Jude Palencar for a majestic cover painting (I don't know how he can top it with the fourth book!); executive copy editor Artie Bennett for checking every word, real or invented, in Brisingr Brisingr with such consummate care; Chip Gibson, head of the children's division at Random House; Knopf publishing director Nancy Hinkel for her unwavering support; Joan DeMayo, director of sales and her team (huzzah and many thanks!); head of marketing John Adamo, whose team designed such impressive materials; Linda Leonard, new media, for all her efforts with online marketing; Linda Palladino, Milton Wackerow, and Carol Naughton, production; Pam White, Jocelyn Lange, and the rest of the subsidiary rights team, who have done a truly extraordinary job of selling the Inheritance cycle in countries and languages throughout the world; Janet Renard, copyediting; and everyone else at Knopf who has supported me. with such consummate care; Chip Gibson, head of the children's division at Random House; Knopf publishing director Nancy Hinkel for her unwavering support; Joan DeMayo, director of sales and her team (huzzah and many thanks!); head of marketing John Adamo, whose team designed such impressive materials; Linda Leonard, new media, for all her efforts with online marketing; Linda Palladino, Milton Wackerow, and Carol Naughton, production; Pam White, Jocelyn Lange, and the rest of the subsidiary rights team, who have done a truly extraordinary job of selling the Inheritance cycle in countries and languages throughout the world; Janet Renard, copyediting; and everyone else at Knopf who has supported me.

At Listening Library: Gerard Doyle, who brings the world of Ala gaesia to life with his voice; Taro Meyer for getting the p.r.o.nunciation of my languages just right; Orli Moscowitz for pulling all the threads together; and Amanda D'Acierno, publisher of Listening Library.

Thank you all.

The Craft of the j.a.panese Sword by Leon and Hiroko Kapp and Yoshindo Yoshihara provided me with much of the information I needed to accurately describe the smelting and forging process in the chapter "Mind over Metal." I highly recommend the book to anyone who is interested in learning more about (specifically j.a.panese) swordmaking. Did you know that j.a.panese smiths used to start their fires by hammering on the end of a bar of iron until it was red-hot, then touching it to a cedar shingle that was coated with sulfur? by Leon and Hiroko Kapp and Yoshindo Yoshihara provided me with much of the information I needed to accurately describe the smelting and forging process in the chapter "Mind over Metal." I highly recommend the book to anyone who is interested in learning more about (specifically j.a.panese) swordmaking. Did you know that j.a.panese smiths used to start their fires by hammering on the end of a bar of iron until it was red-hot, then touching it to a cedar shingle that was coated with sulfur?