Eldest: Book Two In The Inheritance Cycle is a fantasy book written by Christopher Paolini. Eldest is a sequel to the bestselling book, Eragon. The well-known characters in this book are Eragon, Roran and Nasuada. Eragon always has his dragon Saphira by his side. The other characters are Arya, the daughter of the elven queen and elf warrior orik, Ajihad, the leader of the Varden, Nasuada, who replaces her father Ajihad when he dies, Roran, Eragon's cousin and Angela the herbalist. Some new characters are introduced in Eldest, like Oromis and his dragon Glaedr, Murtagh, Thorn, who is Murtagh's dragon, Galbatorix and the Ra'zac. In this book, there is darkness and despair where evil seems to reign. Eragon and his dragon Saphira have just rescued the rebel state from annihilation by the powerful forces of King Galbatorix of Empire. Eragon needs to travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for more training in swordsmanship and magic which are the fundamental skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, full of overwhelming new people and places where each day a new adventure. However, chaos and betrayal follow him at every turn. Eragon is not sure who he can trust anymore. In the meantime, his cousin Roran must fight a new combat back home in Carvahall. This fight puts Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king's dark and gloomy hand smother all resistance? Eldest: Book Two In The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini was published by Random House UK in 2006. This book is available in paperback.