Inheritance Cycle Omnibus

by Christopher Paolini

Then Arya said, “Eragon, may we see Glaedr’s Eldunarí?”

  Eragon hesitated, then went outside and retrieved the pouch from Saphira’s saddlebags. Careful not to touch the Eldunarí, 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 Eldunarí, her eyes gleaming with reflected light. “And Glaedr is really inside of here?”

  He is, 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 Eldunarí, 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.

  Eragon covered the Eldunarí 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 Urû’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 Blödhgarm 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! 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.

  We are the last, Saphira said.

  Eragon frowned, not understanding.

  The last free dragon and Rider, she explained. 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, he thought. 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 passed 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, 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.

  Aye.

  Eragon gazed down at the Eldunarí 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. 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.

  For the sake of our friends and our family—

  —and for the rest of Alagaësia—

  —we must do this.

  Eragon lifted Glaedr’s Eldunarí 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 ENDS THE THIRD BOOK

  OF THE INHERITANCE CYCLE.

  THE STORY WILL CONTINUE AND CONCLUDE

  IN BOOK FOUR.

  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 different cultures—and in this case, different species—have repeatedly colonized, Alagaësia 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 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, 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:

  Ajihad—AH-zhi-hod

  Alagaësia—al-uh-GAY-zee-uh

  Arya—AR-ee-uh

  Blödhgarm—BLAWD-garm

  Brisingr—BRISS-ing-gur

  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 load)

  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)

  Skgahgrezh—skuh-GAH-grezh

  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 rïsa.—Water, rise.

  Agaetí Blödhren—Blood-oath Celebration (held once a century to honor the original pact between elves and dragons)

  älfa-kona—elf woman

  Äthalvard—an organization of elves dedicated to the preservation of their songs and poems

  Atra du evarínya ono varda, Däthedr-vodhr.—May the stars watch over you, honored Däthedr.

  Atra esterní ono thelduin, Eragon Shur’tugal.—May good fortune rule over you, Eragon Dragon Rider.

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

  audr—up

  Bjartskular—Brightscales

  Blödhgarm—Bloodwolf

  brisingr—fire

  Brisingr, iet tauthr.—Fire, follow me.

  Brisingr raudhr!—Red fire!

  deyja—die

  draumr kópa—dream stare

  dröttningu—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 aí 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 weohnataí medh solus un thringa/Eldhrimner un fortha onr fëon 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.

  Eldunarí—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.

  gánga—go

  Garjzla, letta!—Light, stop!

  gedwëy ignasia—shining palm

  Helgrind—The Gates of Death

  Indlvarn—a certain type of pairing between a Rider and dragon

  jierda—break; hit

  könungr—king

  Kuldr, rïsa lam iet un malthinae unin böllr.—Gold, rise to my hand and bind into an orb.

  kveykva—lightning

  lámarae—a fabric made by cross-weaving wool and nettle threads (similar in construction to linsey-woolsey, but of higher quality)

  letta—stop

  Liduen Kvaedhí—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 Dröttningu.—As you will, Princess Arya.

  seithr—witch

  Shur’tugal—Dragon Rider

  slytha—sleep

  Stenr rïsa!—Stone, rise!

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

  talos—a cactus found near Helgrind

  thaefathan—thicken

  Thorta du ilumëo!—Speak the truth!

  vakna—awaken

  vodhr—a male honorific suffix of middling praise, attached with a hyphen

  Waíse heill!—Be healed!

  yawë—a bond of trust

  THE DWARF LANGUAGE:

  Ascûdgamln—fists of steel

  Az Knurldrâthn—The Trees of Stone

  Az Ragni—The River

  Az Sartosvrenht rak Balmung, Grimstnzborith rak Kvisagûr—The Saga of King Balmung of Kvisagûr

  Az Sindriznarrvel—The Gem of Sindri

  barzûl—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

  dûr—our

  dûrgrimst—clan (literally, “our hall,” or “our home”)

  dûrgrimstvren—clan war

  eta—no

  Eta! Narho ûdim etal os isû vond! Narho ûdim etal os formvn mendûnost brakn, az Varden, hrestvog dûr grimstnzhadn! Az Jurgenvren qathrid né dômar 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 Dûr—Our Father

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

  Gáldhiem—Bright/shining head

  Ghastgar—spear-throwing contest akin to jousting and fought on the backs of Feldûnost

  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”)

  hûthvír—double-bladed staff weapon used by Dûrgrimst Quan

  Hwatum il skilfz gerdûmn!—Listen to mine words!

  Ingeitum—fire workers; smiths

  Isidar Mithrim—Star Rose (the star sapphire)

  knurla—dwarf (literally, “one of stone”; plural is knurlan)

  knurlaf—woman/she/her

  knurlag—man/he/him

  knurlagn—men

  Knurlcarathn—stoneworkers; masons

  Knurlnien—Stone Heart

  Ledwonnû—Kílf’s necklace; also used as a general term for necklace

  menknurlan—unstone ones/those who are not, or are without, stone (the worst insult in Dwarvish; cannot be directly translated into English)

  mérna—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 for translation)

  thriknzdal—the temper line on the blade of a differentially tempered weapon

  Tronjheim—Helm of Giants

  Ûn qroth Gûntera!—Thus spoke Gûntera!

  Urzhad—giant cave bear, native to the Beor Mountains

  Vargrimst—clanless/banished

  Vrenshrrgn—War Wolves

  werg
—the dwarves’ equivalent of ugh (used humorously in the place name Werghadn; Werghadn translates as either “the land of ugh” or, more liberally, “the ugly land”)

  THE NOMAD LANGUAGE:

  no—an honorific suffix attached with a hyphen to the main name of someone you respect

  THE URGAL 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 title 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.

  Because of its complexity, Brisingr ended up much larger than I anticipated—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 and 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:

  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 (without which I might have taken another two years to finish the book); and his assistant Josh Getzler for all he does on behalf of Simon and the Inheritance cycle.

  At Knopf: my editor, Michelle Frey, who did an awesome job of helping me to clean up and tighten the manuscript (the first draft was much longer); associate editor Michele Burke, who also labored over the editing and who helped pull together the synopsis of Eragon and 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 classy-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 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.