Eldest

The novel begins in the aftermath of the battle in which the Varden (the rebel group opposing the rule of tyrannical King Galbatorix) triumphed over a group of Urgals (Orc-like soldiers who work for Galbatorix). Eragon has suffered a back injury that has been magically healed but has nonetheless left him with a large scar and acute bouts of chronic pain. As he and his dragon, Saphira, walk through the battlefield a few days after the fight, Eragon reflects on the Varden’s victory and his own part in it. He realizes that he survived due to luck and understands that he must train and hone his skills further before he can defeat Galbatorix.

Eragon then joins Arya, Jörmundur, and Orik, who are waiting for Ajihad, the Varden leader, to return from the nearby tunnels. Ajihad has taken a group of fighters, including Murtagh and two other rebels known as the Twins, to hunt the last of the Urgals. When the group eventually emerges, some pursuing Urgals attack them. Eragon and the others are too far away to intervene and are forced to watch as their enemies kill most of the Varden soldiers.