The novel takes place in a land known as Alagaësia, which is ruled by the evil king, Galbatorix, once a dragon rider who became corrupted upon denial of a second dragon. It begins with a 15 year old boy, Eragon, who is hunting in the Spine, a range of mountains near the village Carvahall, in hope of selling the meat to aid his family. Upon pursuit of a deer, he is led …showed first 75 words of 678 total…

…showed last 75 words of 678 total…is given a terrible wound on his back that leaves him disfigured. With the death of the Shade, a spell from the Urgals seems to have lifted, and the armies of Urgals begin to attack each other, making it much easier for the Varden to step in and ultimately win the fight. As the novel comes to an end, we learn that Eragon will be sent under training of the elves, in the sequel, Eldest.