Prologue

It had been nigh on two hundred years since Eragon Shade Slayer defeated King Galbatorix. Since then Alagaesia has blossomed and developed in many great ways. Cities have been restored, new villages erected, races united with one another. Even the Elves, aloof as they are have made an effort to consort with others than their own kind. The games against the races continue to take place every four years keeping the Urgal's at peace and enforcing regular intermingling between races. There has been no real threat to the wellbeing of Alagaesia and it's people since his fall.

After fourteen days of sailing through the eastern seas Eragon and the Elves spotted a vast land upon the horizon. They followed a winding river through dense green forests and rocky shores marvelling at their new discovered land. Not knowing what was beyond. Eventually the forest gave way to stone hills and cliffs that spread out to the south and east. Far in the distance towards the horizon stood mountains that ranged as far as the eye could see, their snowy peaks disappearing into the white clouds above. It was perfect for the upbringing of Dragons. The land seemed to only be inhabited by wild animals leaving opportunity for plenty of food. As they greeted the stone shores they didn't have to venture far to find an accommodating place to settle. They climbed the hills and cliffs and soon discovered a wide undiscovered valley flourished with ancient forests, white rushing streams, large boulders and towering cliffs. After days of scaling the valley before them, it was here they decided to settle.

It took just under a century for Eragon and the twelve elves who departed Alagaesia to build a worthy foundation of a grand city to be. Their new home was named Thrándurin. Named after no other than Oromis; the ancient elf who trained Brom, Morzan and Eragon and the only one to survive the fall of the riders and the Forsworn. Eragon thought it was only right to name the new land of the dragons in honour of his Master; the elves also found it a well and fitting name.

Eragon spent many years reading and studying the secrets of the riders and the ancient scrolls found in Urubean. With this his knowledge of Alagaesia and the Ancient Language grew substantially. He learned a lot from the old Edunari as well, the names and species of so many different creatures, plants, races, traditions, magic and so forth.

Eragon had grown to become a wise and worthy leader of the riders. The years hadn't aged his appearance but his heart and eyes swelled with wisdom. Saphira grew to be enormous and towered above the average building. The closest Dragon's to her age are Thorn and Firnen, the rest are at least 50 years younger. The other Dragons and Riders hold great respect for her.

Eragon, the Edunari, Blödhgarm and the other elves have successfully trained Fourty riders who patrol over Alagaesia as peace keepers of the land. Saphira and many of the other trained dragons teach the others how to fly, breath fire, hunt and fight. There was a quick outburst of hatchlings and riders after the eggs from the Rock of Kuthian were discovered. Perhaps the reason for their eagerness to hatch was because they were kept locked up for so long. However at times many years could pass between the hatching of one dragon egg to another. During this time Eragon and his followers continued to build Thrándurin. Eragon also picked up an interest for experiments in science and in magic.

Many Elves have come to visit Thrándurin to offer themselves as teachers and mentors. However there have only been a few Dwarven, Human and Urgal visitors.

Nasuada continued to rule the Empire for six and eighty years and died an honourable death of old age, at five and one hundred years. She was able to live longer than most humans because her love and companion Murtagh preserved her life with magic. It took ten years for Murtagh and Thorn to return to Ilirea since they had departed the day Galbatorix was slain. Soon after his return he and Nasuada wed. After her death Murtagh went on to Thrándurin to live with the riders.

Nasuada was a strong ruler and stories of her feats will be sung throughout all of Alagaesia; keeping her alive in spirit for eternity. Nasuada kept Alagaesia and the races within it at peace for many years. It took her a long time to tidy the mess Galbatorix had left behind. She had dealt with many who were still sworn by oath to him and had caused trouble within the kingdom. Many times people had tried to assassinate her through means of poison and slitting her throat while she slept. Had it not been for Elva they may have succeeded.

Nasuada born two sons to Murtagh, the eldest Ajihad named after Nasuada's father and their second son Alec. Alec became a powerful magician. He watched over the activity of magic users within the Kingdom and took the role in leading a group of high court magic users which Nasuada had offered to Eragon many years ago. Ajihad was heir to the throne and continued to rule after Nasuada's death. The throne had then been passed down to two others, always the eldest child born from the current ruler. After Nasuada's death Elva left Ilirea; it was never made known as to where she went.

Nazariah, a powerful strong-willed and determined woman was now the ruler of the Empire. Her characteristics where strikingly similar to Nasuada's she even held an uncanny resemblance to the woman. She continues to serve well to her kingdom and is an exceptional headstrong leader.

Roran and Katrina passed sixty years after Eragon left Alagaesia, Roran was well respected and remembered as one of the Empires greatest hero's. Roran became known as the King of Palancar. He built a strong stone castle upon the hill he and Eragon played as boys. Roran took great pride in it for it was his home, the place his children would grow and play and come to know as their home as well. Katrina born two sons to him after Ismira, Roran the second and Eragon. Ismira and Eragon have passed on however Roran still lives as a rider. He was hatched a beautiful burgundy dragon at fifteen; from there he was sent to Ellesmera for training until he was eighteen and then to Thrandurin. He now sits on amongst the Thrandurin council and acts as Eragon's hand.

Arya is still the Queen of the Elves and Orik is still king of the Dwarfs. Eragon has never returned to Alagaesia and neither Orik nor Arya have travelled to the new land of the dragons, for their duty lies within parts of Alagaesia and they do not feel that it is right to leave.

Arya is well respected by all her race; she has become a very noble and strong leader just as her mother once was. She has restored many things throughout her land that had been destroyed during Galbatorix's elven nation has grown as many have born children, where during the dark times of Alagaesia children were rare amongst the elves due to fear of their race becoming so young and vulnerable.

Arya has no children or mate; she seems to be kept busy with the duty of being Queen. Her contact with Eragon has only been through letters regarding the training of the riders perhaps it is too hard for either of them to talk of anything more.

Arya and Firnen continue to flourish as Dragon and rider; they have grown stronger over the years and they help patrol Alagaesia when Arya is not busy with her duties as queen.

Many years have passed, years of peace and growth. Will it continue to flow like this? Or is there a new coming of darkness on the horizon? If there were to be another Galbatorix could the current riders hold their place? For no one should become complacent, because evil seems to always abound even if it is not seen; it lurks in places we do not wish to look.