Before.
Fifty years after Eragon died, Galbatorix still rules over everything. The old town where Eragon first lived has grown, and many people are thinking of ways to over through the king, but it seems impossible without a dragon rider, and Galbatorix still has the last egg.
How Eragon died so suddently is a mystery to everyone, because no one saw his death. But his bones, and the bones of his magnificent dragon, Saphira, were found alone near the Varden.
There have been a few failed attempts to overthrow the king, each ending worse then that last.
Now the only possible hope for anyone, is that somehow there will be another dragon rider to save the land.