"Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world. A tall Shade lifted his head, surveying the trap he had laid. He looked almost human, if not for his crimson hair, maroon eyes, and deathly pale skin."

"Eragon recoiled in shock. Standing in front of him... was a baby dragon..."

"Saphira grabbed Eragon with bloody claws, taking wing into the moon-lit sky. For Eragon, the night blurred into a pain-filled streak. The hypnotic sound of Saphira's wings put him into a bleary trance: Up... Down... Up... Down... Up... Down...