Eldest

The next day, a shocked Eragon is still mourning his friends and allies when he is summoned to a meeting with the Council of Elders (a group of Varden leaders who counseled Ajihad and are now looking for a successor). Eragon is wary of their schemes, which he telepathically discusses with Saphira as the Elders outline their plans. They want Nasuada, Ajihad’s daughter, to take her father’s place as the leader of the Varden. While Nasuada is smart and is beloved by her people, Eragon understands that she is young enough that the Council can manipulate her. They also request that he swear fealty to the Varden, and Eragon has no choice but to agree. When the Council introduces the idea to Nasuada, she humbly accepts her new role.

Once the counselors have left the room, Eragon tells Nasuada about their manipulative schemes. Nasuada vows to protect her father’s legacy, and her words prompt Eragon to swear his loyalty directly to her. After their meeting, Eragon goes to Arya and explains these latest developments. Arya understands the complexities of Eragon’s situation but reminds him that he is also bound to the Elves and the other people of Alagaësia.

Back in Carvahall, Roran has been dealing with the aftermath of his father’s death, the destruction of his family’s farm, and Eragon’s abrupt departure. He has deduced that their attackers were drawn to the mysterious stone that Eragon found, although he does not know that this stone was in fact Saphira’s egg. Although Roran is confused by Eragon’s actions, he is now more preoccupied by his desire to marry Katrina, a young woman from the village. Lacking a farm or any other resources, he cannot ask for her hand in marriage, for fear of offending her father. However, Katrina warns Roran that she may be promised to another man if Roran does not ask for her hand in marriage soon. In the village tavern, Roran listens to a traveler and learns that trouble is brewing in the kingdom.

The next day, Roran and his friend Baldor go hunting together. They unexpectedly find a group of soldiers camping nearby, and when they approach discreetly, they realize that the Ra’zac are among them. (The Ra’zac are the two dark, magical beings that attacked Roran’s farm and killed his father in Eragon.) Realizing that King Galbatorix must be looking for both him and Eragon, Roran runs back with Baldor to warn the villagers. Roran then takes some food and a horse and goes to hide in the Spine, the nearby mountain range. He watches as the soldiers enter the village and set up camp. Baldor later meets Roran in secret and warns him that the soldiers are looking for him.

The next morning, the Dwarf King Hrothgar summons Eragon and Saphira to a meeting. Having learned that the Council wants to place Nasuada at the head of the Varden, Hrothgar wants to know Eragon’s opinion before he decides whether to support her. Although some of the Dwarf clans may not agree with Nasuada’s appointment as leader, Eragon vouches for her, easing Hrothgar’s doubts. Saphira also offers to help the Dwarves rebuild Isidar Mithrim, a huge Dwarven heirloom that Arya broke during the battle. The Dwarf King rejoices, and Eragon and Saphira are invited to a night of revelry as the Dwarves celebrate their victory.

The next morning, Eragon and Saphira are awakened up by Orik, who urges them to join the funeral procession heading to Ajihad’s final resting place. They attend the funeral, participate in the ceremony, and listen to Nasuada’s speech honoring her father.

After the funeral, Eragon and Saphira attend the ceremony that introduces Nasuada as the new Varden leader. The Council of Elders joins Arya (who speaks for the Elves), along with Hrothgar, and Eragon. Everyone voices their support of Nasuada, and the crowd accepts her nomination. Eragon then swears fealty to Nasuada rather than to the Varden, thereby declaring his loyalty to the rebels without binding himself specifically to the Council of Elders. They all look dismayed by his trick. Orik supports Eragon’s decision but warns him that the counselors may now seek to retaliate.

As he returns to his quarters, Eragon is approached by a young witch who introduces herself as Trianna. She represents the Du Vrangr Gata, a group of magic wielders who support the Varden, and she offers Eragon a leadership position among them. Eragon refuses, but he is intrigued by Trianna, who is happy to have a conversation with him. Trianna appears overtly flirtatious, but her actions are interrupted by Saphira’s menacing growl. After Trianna leaves, Eragon and Saphira argue about Eragon’s desire for intimacy separate from their telepathic bond.

The next day, Nasuada summons Eragon and Saphira to describe her plans to capitalize on the Varden’s unexpected victory against Galbatorix by attacking the king very soon. She also plans to move the Varden to Surda, a neighboring country that supports the rebels’ cause. Finally, she wants to spread the news about a new Rider named Eragon Shadeslayer in order to bolster support across the realm. She also reminds Eragon that he should go to Ellesméra, the Elven capital, to train with the Elves, as this was Ajihad’s plan for Eragon.

That night, Eragon and Saphira run into the witch Angela and her werecat familiar, Solenbaum. They exchange pleasantries with the friendly witch, who tells them that she will accompany the Varden to Surda and wishes them luck on their travels.

At dawn the next day, Eragon and Saphira prepare to leave Tronjheim. They will travel with Arya and Orik, who returns Eragon’s repaired helm before they leave. On behalf of the Dwarf King, Orik offers Eragon the opportunity to be inducted into Dûrgrimst Ingeitum, Hrothgar’s own clan, as a symbol of their alliance. Eragon accepts, and as Nasuada arrives to see him off, she remarks that his loyalty is now shared equally between the human Varden, the Elves, and the Dwarves. Eragon, Saphira, Arya, and Orik leave and enter a tunnel that runs under the mountain of Farthen Dûr.