Special Sub-Topic: The Travels of Eragon, Part 1 Click Here To Play: The Travels of Eragon, Part 1

In the prologue, what is the creature setting a trap?

A shade. The Shade is Durza, and he comes into the story twice at a later point. He comes at the prision in Gil'ead, and later still leading the Urgals in the attack on Tronjheim.

What does Merlock specialize in?

Jewelry. After Eragon discovers the stone, he unsuccessfully tries to sell it. When he gets home, he has to help fininsh all of the farm duties before the frost, and when they are done, the family waits for the traders. About a week later the traders come, and they go to Merlock, who tells them the stone is of questionable value. Of course, if he had known it was a dragon egg, he would have paid thousands for it.

After Roran makes his announcement, how much time is there before he leaves?

Two weeks. Roran leaves to get enough money to get married, and in the two weeks before he leaves, Eragon's connection with his dragon, Saphira, grows. Roran leaves the day the Ra'zac enter. If he had left any later, he would have been killed along with Garrow. Eragon wasn't killed by the Ra'zac at that point because he fled on Saphira.

Where does Eragon kill his first Urgal?

In Yazuac. After Garrow dies, Brom and Eragon chase after the Ra'zac, the ones responsible for this murder. Their chase leads them to Yazuac, a town in which, not long ago, every resident was brutally slaughtered by Urgals. There are two hanging behind, and they attack Eragon and Brom. Eragon kills them with magic.

Why is Saphira angry after they leave Daret?

Because Eragon keeps getting in trouble. After they leave Yazuac and Brom explains magic to Eragon, they head south along the Ninor river to Daret. They are ambushed and almost killed by the extremely wary residents. However, Brom is able to talk to a local named Trevor, who sells them supplies and sendes them on their way.

While on their journy, Brom and Eragon make two discoveries. One is Seithr oil, which helps them track the Ra'zac. What is the other?

That the Ra'zac have flying steeds. The next day after they are out of Daret, Eragon rides Saphira for the first time since in Carvahall. He is shocked by how amazing it is. Eragon understands why Saphira is mad when Eragon and Brom have to ride their horses. Then, when the three of them make camp, Eragon looks around and finds two things. The Seithr oil is rare, and so few need it that the only regular purchases, recorded in shipping records, would lead them to the Ra'zac. However, Bron and Eragon are dismayed because it would be hard to catch the Ra'zac if they are on flying steeds.

Who are Neal and Evan?

Brom and Eragon's fake names. Brom says that the best place to look for shipping records is in Terim. However, it would be a small problem if people knew their real names, because soon, they might end up on wanted posters in every town in Alagaesia. Neal is Evan's supposed uncle. The only people who know their real names in Terim are Angela, who runs the Herbal shop, and Jeod. According to the book, the character Angela is modeld off of the author's sister.

Why does Angela cast the bones for Eragon?

Because Solembum talked to Eragon. After a delay with the records room and the admittince that Eragon cannot read, Brom and Eragon have to wait a week before they can use the records. The second day, Brom and Jeod are busy for the day, so Eragon wanders about. Near the end of the day, he stops at the herbal shop next to Jeod's house. After a short and abrupt conversation with the werecat, Solembum, Angela comes in. She says that Solembum has only talked to two other people, and Angela offered to cast for them. Eragon accepted and the bones brought out a very interesting future. They saw one full of danger, with a betrayal, but one where a happy ending could be found. Reading the books, it's intersting to try and spot what the bones predicted.

Solembum appears three times in Teirm. The first time, he tells Eragon things about the future. What does he do the second time?

Warn about guards. After a week of lessons, they are ready to use the records in the record room. After paying the guard a bribe and using magic to open the door, Eragon, Brom and Jeod work to copy all the shipment records of Seither oil. Solembum tells Eragon that guards are coming and they barely escape in time.

Where is Eragon and Brom's next destination after leaving Teirm?

Dras-Leona. Eragon and Brom have figured out that the Ra'zac stay in Dras Leona while waiting for orders. As Brom and Eragon leave for Dras Leona, Solembum watches them leave. The first chapter after this is "A Costly Mistake", where I will pick up on in The Travels of Eragon, Part 2.