- [first lines]
- Brom: [narrating] There was a time when the fierce and beautiful land of Alagaësia was ruled by men astride mighty dragons. To protect and serve was their mission, and for thousands of years, the people prospered. But the Riders grew arrogant, and began to fight among themselves for power. Sensing their weakness, a young Rider named Galbatorix betrayed them, and in a single bloody battle, believed he had killed them all, Riders and dragons alike. Since then, our land has been ruled by Galbatorix. He crushed all rebellion, including the freedom fighters known as the Varden. Those that survived fled to the mountains. There, they hoped for a miracle that might even their odds against the king. Our story begins one night, as Arya, an ally of the Varden, rides for her life, carrying a stone stolen from the king himself.
- Brom: [as the soldiers walk away with his dead hens] Take care of the little bones. Hate to see you choke.
- Eragon: [to baby Saphira] Where's your mother? Did she abandon you too? Did she leave in a great hurry?
- Eragon: Stand up!
- Murtagh: [laughs] All my life I've dreamed of dragons.
- Eragon: Who are you, and why are you following us?
- Murtagh: I'm Murtagh, and you need me, Dragon Rider.
- Eragon: Thanks, but we're fine without you.
- Murtagh: You seek the Varden? I know the mountains, every valley and stream.
- [points to Arya, who is on the ground]
- Murtagh: She will suffer if you go astray.
- Eragon: [suspicious] Why would you risk your life for us?
- Murtagh: My family was slaughtered by the king's men when I was a boy. I heard rumors, they said a Rider had appeared. If there were ever a time for retribution, this was it.
- Eragon: If you can show me the quickest way to the Varden.
- Murtagh: Then to the Varden it is.
- Murtagh: [walks forward a few steps, then stops and turns to Eragon] You'll learn to trust me, Dragon Rider.
- [Saphira growls]
- Eragon: I'm not the only one you need to convince.
- Brom: My story was about you, Eragon! It is your fate to be a Dragon Rider. The Varden need a Rider if they are to defeat Durza and the king.
- Eragon: I didn't ask for any of this!
- Brom: But you were chosen, nevertheless. A dragon will only hatch if it feels the presence of its Rider. It'll wait forever if it has to, but now it's found you. It'll serve you and only you, and that's put your life in danger.
- Eragon: Why can't we take them?
- Brom: Quiet! You're not ready to take anything yet.
- Eragon: I have skills! I can fight. My cousin Roran and I, we've trained, with swords!
- Brom: Well, then, perhaps I've underestimated you. Right then, let's see these skills of yours.
- Eragon: This won't be fair to you, old man.
- Brom: Humor me.
- [Brom hits Eragon down immediately]
- Brom: Oh dear, I see the effect of your training.
- [shouting out instructions as Eragon improves]
- Brom: Good, good! Don't get overconfident! It won't be your cousin Roran you're fighting, and it won't be with wooden staves, either.
- Eragon: I need to know, Saphira. Why me?
- Saphira: You choose a leader for his heart.
- Eragon: But I'm not without fear.
- Saphira: Without fear there cannot be courage. But when we are together, it is our enemies who should be afraid.
- Eragon: And are we together, Saphira?
- [draws his sword]
- Eragon: AS ONE?
- Saphira: [Saphira breathes fire for the first time]
- Eragon: I'll take that as a yes.
- [the battle starts]
- Eragon: Into the sky. To live or to die!
- Durza: [after killing the Urgal leader for failing to bring Eragon to him] Congratulations, you've just been promoted!
- Roran: Eragon...
- [hesitates]
- Roran: I'm leaving.
- Eragon: What?
- Roran: I'm old enough to be recruited now. Before the soldiers come looking for me.
- Eragon: [pause] But what about - ?
- Roran: He knows. I've already told him.
- Eragon: [despairingly] Where will you go?
- Roran: I don't know. All I know is that I'm going.
- Durza: It is said that as a Rider takes his last breath, he can hear the dying screams of his dragon.
- Uncle Garrow: Your day will come too, Eragon, and you will decide for yourself the kind of life you wish to lead.
- Saphira: I'll be the judge of that.
- Eragon: Easy. I think he's a friend.
- Brom: Muscular. Graceful proportions. Talons...... nicely curved. Legs a bit thin.
- Saphira: Only my voice is gentle, old man.
- Brom: Spikes sharp. All in all...... a fine young dragon.
- Saphira: Well, he does know a bit about dragons.
- Brom: And soon, strong enough to ride.
- Eragon: We've come to join you.
- Ajihad: Seize him.
- Eragon: [lunges forward. Saphira roars] NO! He's with me. He saved my life.
- Ajihad: [points to Murtagh accusingly] He is the son of Morzan, the traitor.
- Eragon: [turns to Murtagh] Is it true?
- Murtagh: A son doesn't choose his father.
- [pulls up tunic to reveal large, ropy scar]
- Murtagh: This was the only thing he ever gave me. I hated that man until the day he died.
- Ajihad: Lock him up. If he tries to escape, kill him.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
