Chapter Eragon: THE ANCIENT LANGUAGE

Note: As Eragon is not yet a master of the ancient language, his words and remarks were translated literally, so as to save readers from his atrocious grammar. Quotations from other characters, however, have been left untouched.

Aí varden abr du Shur’tugalar gata vanta.—A warden of the Riders lacks passage.

Aiedail—the morning star arget—silver Argetlam—Silver Hand Atra gülai un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waíse skölir frá rauthr.—Let luck and happiness follow you and may you be shielded from misfortune.

Böetq istalri!—Broad fire!

breoal—family; house brisingr—fire Deloi moi!—Earth, change!

delois—a green-leafed plant with purple flowers Domia abr Wyrda—Dominance of Fate (book)

dras—city draumr kópa—dream stare Du grind huildr!—Hold the gate!

“Du Silbena Datia”—“The Sighing Mists” (a poem song)

Du Súndavar Freohr—Death of the Shadows Du Vrangr Gata—The Wandering Path Du Weldenvarden—The Guarding Forest Edoc’sil—Unconquerable eitha—go; leave Eka aí fricai un Shur’tugal!—I am a Rider and friend!

ethgrí—invoke Fethrblaka, eka weohnata néiat haina ono. Blaka eom iet lam.—Bird, I will not harm you. Flap to my hand.

garjzla—light Gath un reisa du rakr!—Unite and raise the mist!

gedwëy ignasia—shining palm Gëuloth du knífr!—Dull the knife!

Helgrind—The Gates of Death iet—my (informal)

jierda—break; hit Jierda theirra kalfis!—Break their calves!

Manin! Wyrda! Hugin!—Memory! Fate! Thought!

Moi stenr!—Stone, change!

Nagz reisa!—Blanket, rise!

Osthato Chetowä—the Mourning Sage pömnuria—my (formal)

Ristvak’baen—Place of Sorrow (

—used here and in Urû’baen, the capital of the Empire—is always pronounced and is an expression of great sadness/grief)

seithr—witch Shur’tugal—Dragon Rider Skulblaka, eka celöbra ono un mulabra ono un onr Shur’tugal né haina. Atra nosu waíse fricaya.—Dragon, I honor you and mean you and your Rider no harm. Let us be friends.

slytha—sleep Stenr reisa!—Raise stone!

thrysta—thrust; compress Thrysta deloi.—Compress the earth.

Thverr stenr un atra eka hórna!—Traverse stone and let me hear!

Togira Ikonoka—the Cripple Who Is Whole tuatha du orothrim—tempering the fool’s wisdom (level in Riders’ training)

Varden—the Warders vöndr—a thin, straight stick Waíse heill!—Be healed!

Wiol pömnuria ilian.—For my happiness.

wyrda—fate yawë—a bond of trust Akh Guntéraz dorzâda!—For Guntéra’s adoration!

Âz knurl deimi lanok.—Beware, the rock changes.

barzul—a curse; ill fate Carkna bragha!—Great danger!

dûrgrimst—clan (literally, our hall/home)

Egraz Carn—Bald One Farthen Dûr—Our Father hírna—likeness; statue Ilf carnz orodüm.—It is one’s obligation/fate.

Ingietum—metalworkers; smiths Isidar Mithrim—Star Sapphire knurl—stone; rock knurla—dwarf (literally, one of stone)

Kóstha-mérna—Foot Pool (a lake)

oeí—yes; affirmative otho—faith sheilven—cowards Tronjheim—Helm of Giants Vol Turin—The Endless Staircase drajl—spawn of maggots Ithrö Zhâda (Orthíad)—Rebel Doom Kaz jtierl trazhid! Otrag bagh.—Do not attack! Circle him.

ushnark—father