The book is the (the old language word for “one who walks between names”). It is the universe’s master ledger. Every sentient being—human, elf, dwarf, Urgal, dragon, spirit—has a page. And on that page is written their past, present, and a single sentence of their future. The Index cannot lie.

| Chapter | Title | Key Events/Locations | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | Prologue: Shade of Fear | Durza captures Garrow. | | 2 | Discovery | Eragon finds the "stone" (dragon egg) in the Spine. | | 3 | Dragon Tales | Saphira hatches; Eragon’s palm is burned. | | 4 | Fate’s Gift | Eragon names Saphira. | | 5 | Awakening | Eragon reveals Saphira to his uncle and Roran. | | 6 | Tea for Two | Brom agrees to help. | | 7 | A Name of Power | Brom teaches the first lesson about the Ancient Language. | | 8 | A Miller-to-Be | Roran and Katrina’s relationship is introduced. | | 9 | The Madness of Life | Garrow is injured by the Ra’zac. | | 10 | Flight to Danger | Eragon, Brom, and Saphira flee Carvahall. | | 11 | The Doom of Innocence | Garrow dies. | | 12 | Deathwatch | Eragon swears revenge. | | 13 | The Rider’s Blade | Brom gives Eragon Zar’roc (misery). | | 14 | Saddling the Mind | Mental training; the first mental battle. | | 15 | Dras-Leona | The city of Dras-Leona (intro). | | 16 | The Hadarac Desert | Crossing the desert; survival. | | 17 | A Path Revealed | Eragon sees visions of Urû’baen. | | 18 | A Clash of Wills | Fight with the Shade (Durza’s first direct attack). | | 19 | The Swordsman | Brom vs. Morzan’s servants. | | 20 | The Mire of Dras-Leona | Catacombs and Ra’zac lair. | | 21 | Trail of Oil | Escaping the city. | | 22 | The Ra’zac’s Revenge | Brom is fatally wounded. | | 23 | The Mourning Sage | Brom’s death and confession (former Rider). | | 24 | The Witch and the Werecat | Angela and Solembum (The cat advises Eragon). | | 25 | Reading the Stars | Journey through the Beor Mountains. | | 26 | Tronjheim | Arrival at the dwarf city. | | 27 | Ajihad | Meeting the Varden’s leader. | | 28 | Bless the Child, Argetlam | Eragon is named Argetlam (Silver Hand). | | 29 | Mandrake Root and Newt’s Tongue | Angela’s prophecy. | | 30 | Hall of the Mountain King | Dwarf political intrigue. | | 31 | Arya’s Test | Healing the elf Arya. | | 32 | The Shadows Lengthen | Durza’s army marches on Farthen Dûr. | | 33 | Battle under Farthen Dûr | Climactic battle. | | 34 | The Mighty Against the Weak | Saphira vs. the Urgals. | | 35 | The Mourning of the Sage | Eragon defeats Durza but is comatose. | | 36 | A Song for the Road | Epilogue; The Mourning Sage’s tomb. |

A central theme is the weight of the past. Eragon is constantly learning about the fall of the Riders, and his identity is shaped by those who came before him. The sword Zar'roc serves as a symbol of this—it has a history that predates Eragon, and possessing it ties him to the past.