Publisher's Summary Don’t miss the latest from the author of Eragon : The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Tales from Alagaësia ! Perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings, the New York Times best-selling Inheritance Cycle about the dragon rider Eragon has sold more than 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.  Darkness falls...despair abounds...evil reigns.... Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspiring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn't know whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle, one that might put Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life.... A number-one New York Times best-seller. A number-one Publishers Weekly best-seller. A USA Today best-seller. A Wall Street Journal best-seller. A Book Sense book of the year. A number-one Book Sense selection. ©2005 Christopher Paolini (P)2005 Listening Library, a division of Random House, Inc.