Eragon and his companions emerge from underground and approach the dwarf city of Tarnag, built on terraces on one of the mountains. They see a species of goat, unique to the Beors, and learn of the importance of this and other local animals to the dwarf culture. As they enter the city, they encounter hostility because Eragon is displaying the symbol of Hrothgar’s clan; one onlooker curses him in the dwarf language and then throws down a ring in what seems to be a challenge. The dwarves discuss this amongst themselves, but Eragon does not understand what is happening.
The party reaches their hosts, who come from clans friendly to Hrothgar and Eragon, and are treated to a banquet, including a special dish of an enormous wild boar. Eragon learns that the ring the dwarf threw at him was a sign of complete enmity and opposition. The dwarf’s clan, Az Sweldn rak Anhûin, hates Dragon Riders because the Dragon Wars, when Galbatorix took power, almost destroyed it, and they consider Hrothgar’s adoption of Eragon to be the ultimate insult.
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