The novel opens on Eragon surveying a dark stone tower where monsters (the Ra’zacs) killed Garrow, his uncle, and Brom, his mentor. He and his cousin, Roran, watch the priests of Helgrind and their followers (servants of King Galbatorix, a powerful enemy and sorcerer) enact a blood ritual, which Eragon mistakes for cannibalism. Roran’s fiancée, Katrina, is imprisoned in Helgrind. Her father, Sloan, betrayed Roran to the enemy, but when the plan failed they kidnapped Katrina instead. Eragon is able to concentrate on his own consciousness to detect her but must be wary of attention from the Ra’zacs and their companions, the Lethrblaka. He sees another figure with Katrina but does not share this with Roran; they agree to free the slaves at dawn and retreat to the base of the hill.

The next morning, Roran and Eragon sit beside their campfire with Saphira, Eragon’s dragon. The three discuss events from a previous battle, where Eragon’s half-brother, Murtagh, betrayed him and stole Zar’roc, his sword. Eragon reveals he did not get permission from Nasuada, leader of the Varden, nor