Brisingr [en]

We can, and we must, 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 ENDS THE THIRD BOOK OF THE INHERITANCE CYCLE.

THE STORY WILL CONTINUE AND CONCLUDE IN BOOK FOUR.

Appendix

ON THE ORIGIN OF 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 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 aenora, 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 ae (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

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 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)

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

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)

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 ANCIENT 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