Eragon is only the first book in a four-part series called The Inheritance Cycle. The first installment establishes the connection between Eragon and his dragon Saphira and shows the threat they face from the tyrannical ruler Galbatorix. The book ends with Eragon and his allies defeating an attack by the brutish Urgals and their demonic leader, Durza.

Eldest (Volume II): The cycle’s second book covers the aftermath of this battle. In a follow-up attack, Ajihad is ambushed and killed, while the Twins and Murtagh are missing but presumed dead. Ajihad’s daughter, Nasuada, is named head of the Varden resistance, and she moves her people to Suda, which is not under the evil Empire’s control. At this point, Eragon and Saphira travel to the elvish capital of Ellesmeara, where the new Dragon Rider receives training and undergoes a physical transformation that gives him the appearance and physical powers of an elf. Eragon then begins to woo Arya, but she rejects him because she is his senior by a hundred years and is destined to rule the realm after her mother. When Galbatorix stages his next attack against the Varden, Eragon finds himself pitted against Murtagh, who has become a Dragon Rider for Galbatorix.