For Alagaesia: 84. A friend in need

Saphira and Indra flew on ahead of the marching army behind them. The news that Nasuada had been subjugated by Galbatorix and made to lead his army only served to anger the two dragons. Eragon had mostly come to the conclusion that it was entirely Nasuada’s fault that this had to happen. Living under the protection of Galbatorix’s sworn slave was bound to land her in trouble. If only he knew that it was because Glaedr tried to protect him that Nasuada was caught in this unwitting position!

For Alagaesia: 83. Rebirth of a reluctant monster

The march to the black city of Galbatorix was among the gloomiest weeks he had ever spent in his life. For all the impressive speeches Roran delivered, the mood of doom and gloom never seemed to be lifted. The elves who were already known for mood swings of an unfathomable degree had fallen into a melancholy of sorts and their sadness seemed to rub off on the Humans and the Dwarves.

For Alagaesia: 82. A life of agony

Soft cotton always was her favourite. There was a time in Tronjheim when she always slept in the softest and neatest cotton bed in the city. The fabric wrapped itself around her like a dear lover clings onto his beloved after he comes back from a tiring day of work. And she loved the feeling.

For Alagaesia: 81. Confession

Every part of him literally ached; right from his bones to his heart. His last and only remaining father figure had left him to fend off in the world alone. With none to guide him, how was he to do anything? Whom would he consult next for troubles ranging from Galbatorix to Arya?

For Alagaesia: 80. The ultimate sacrifice

Would someone turn their perfectly purposeful life into animal existence knowingly? The answer to this question was trivial in the sense that it would be so unanimous that the asker would think why they posed it in the first place. But it won’t be the case if the question was posed to Nasuada, the former leader of the rebellion against the evil ruler of Alagaesia. This was the thought that played out in Nasuada’s mind every night before she went to sleep in the makeshift bed Murtagh had made for her.

For Alagaesia: 79. A golden act

‘It isn’t over Eragon! Not yet! Take my strength. You promised me that we won’t take defeat lying down,’ Saphira’s renewed plea rang in his mind. Amidst the torrent of pain caused by the crushing of his bones by the air - rivalled only by the pain he had felt in the dungeons of Uru’baen when Galbatorix used Elva to gain access into his mind - Eragon somehow managed to respond to his dragon.

For Alagaesia: 78. Mismatch

Just when he thought he had secured an unthinkable victory, Galbatorix’s dread turned to an evil smirk. Yes, the air-spear hit the king squarely on the chest and yes, blood was oozing from the wound. But Galbatorix was laughing - his usual maniacal laugh.

For Alagaesia: 77. Slaying a demon

Eragon thought he knew all about fear until they left the comforting confines of Du Weldenvarden. The smug confidence was, of course, because he had survived being exposed in mind and body to Galbatorix himself. The mad king had taken him to the brink of insanity and death many times when Eragon was his captive.

For Alagaesia: 76. Destiny comes calling

For days after the rather unpleasant meeting with Arya, Eragon reverted to staying put in the Crags. Saphira too did not bother him this time around. She was still quite angry on Arya for breaking Eragon’s hand as she did.

‘Don’t fight with her over it.’ Eragon warned her. ‘You know how she is. And what I did is sure to have made her angry. I am actually glad that she vent her anger on me rather than on someone else.’

For Alagaesia: 75. The torture of being in love

Now that he thought about it, it sounded kind of stupid. What had he thought of gaining by declaring his love to her? It was true that she left him no other option. He was pushed into saying it. By her. Still, he had known all along that it would take just one more attempt to push Arya away from him forever.