# data[].attributes.headline
Death of Ajihad and Eragon's Journey to Ellesmera

# data[].attributes.subject
Death of Ajihad and Eragon's Journey to Ellesmera

# data[].attributes.body
At the beginning of the story, a group of Urgals, barbaric monsters, attack a group of Varden defenders. Among these defenders is Ajihad, the leader of the Varden, the resistance group against King Galbatorix. The Urgals quickly overwhelm the defense and kill Ajihad, while also taking three captives, including Eragon's friend Murtagh. On page 5, the author writes, "In the center of the massacre lay Ajihad, his breastplate rent with numerous gashes, surrounded by five Urgals he had slain. His breath still came in ragged gasps. Eragon knelt by him and lowered his face so his tears would not land on the leader's ruined chest. No one could heal such wounds." After the death of Ajihad, his daughter Nasuada takes over as the leader of the Varden. Eragon and his dragon Saphira decide to travel to Ellesmera to continue their training as dragon and rider with the elves.

# data[].attributes.body
Meanwhile, back in the village of Carvahall, Roran, Eragon's cousin, is living his life, when suddenly, soldiers approach the city. The book says on page 41, "'What do they want? What can they want?'... 'If they didn't get what they needed from Garrow, and Eragon fled with Brom, then they must want you.'" Roran hides out in the mountains for a few days, but the soldiers don't leave. They abuse the townspeople and even accidentally start a fire. Enraged, the people of Carvahall decide to do something. They decide to sneak attack the soldiers in the dead of night. Although successful, the soldiers counterattack, and kidnap Roran's girlfriend and soon to be wife, Katrina. Outnumbered and hopeless, Roran hatches a daring plan. He gets the entire town to migrate over the mountains and down the coast towards the independent country of Surda.

# data[].attributes.body
In Ellesmera, Eragon is surprised to find another dragon rider alive. On page 267, the text states, "Eragon fell to his knees, his face upturned. Awe and relief coursed through him. No more would he have to bear the responsibility of the Varden and of Galbatorix by himself. Here was one of the guardians of old resurrected from the depths of time to guide him, a living symbol, and a testament to the legends he had been raised with." This riders name is Oromis, and he trains Eragon in many aspects any rider should have. For example, he teachers Eragon much about using magic. He also teachers him to sense other peoples' consciousnesses and emotions, and teachers him about the virtues of patience, logic, and compassion.

# data[].attributes.body
After Roran and the villagers of Carvahall make it down to the coastal city of Teirm, they still need a way to get into Surda and out of the empire. Coincidentally, they meet Jeod, a friend of Eragon, who hatches a plan. They will steal the Dragon Wing, a modern ship dock in Teirm's harbor, and sail South to Surda. The book says on page 514, "Before Roran quite knew it, anchors had been raised, the gangway was cut loose, and a drum pounded beneath his feet, setting the tempo for the oarsmen. Ever so slowly, the Dragon Wing turned to starboard-toward the open sea-and then, with gathering speed, pulled away from the dock." From there, the villagers barely managed to lose pursuing ships from and eventually make it to Surda.

# data[].attributes.body
Galbatorix's army and the forces of the Varden and Surda finally meat on the Burning Plains of Alagaesia. There, fighting ensues. Throughout the battle, Eragon flies around, assisting where help is needed and taking down enemy troops. Suddenly, a ship sails up the river, and right before attacking it, Eragon notices that it contains the villagers of Carvahall and his cousin Roran. The two reunite briefly, before another rider suddenly appears. Eragon duels the other rider, but is quickly overpowered. As he is on the ground, he suddenly realizes who the other rider is. On page 645, it says "He threw himself at the Rider, trapping both swords between their bodies, hooked his fingers underneath the helm, and ripped it off. And there in the center of the plateau, on the edge of the Burning Plains of Alagaesia, stood Murtagh." Turns out, Murtagh had been kidnapped to King Galbatorix, where he was forced to serve under him by magic. Murtagh decides to spare Eragon, and the Varden and Surda win the battle at a heavy toll.