a selection of dialogue prompts taken from the book eldest, #2 of the inheritance cycle / eragon series. feel free to change pronouns / details as needed.
βΒ the songs of the dead are the lamentations of the living. β
β i'm glad i found you in time. β
β we'll have to hurry to get there in time. β
β listen to me, i have one last command for you. β
β you must promise me. β
β you must do all you can to avert a struggle for power. β
β i will assist where possible. β
β this should not have happened. β
β they may still be alive. would you abandon them? β
β what do you expect me to do? β
β it makes no sense. β
β how can fate be this cruel? β
β we are wounded at the height of our triumph. β
β do not be ashamed to let your tears be seen. β
β good morning, little one. β
β i'm sorry, they are gone. β
β we may never know the truth. β
β we can't waste time. β
β are you strong enough to go? β
β just stay close to me. β
β almost no one would oppose you. β
β that does not seem a wise path to take. i see only trouble in that direction. β
β there is someone here to see you. β
β we face a crisis that must be dealt with quickly and effectively. β
β it might be a trap. β
β it's a gamble you'll have to take. β
β what happens if i decide not to accept your offer? β
β who could bear such a shame? β
β that would be unwise. β
β it was worth a try. β
β i fear you have no choice now. β
β they're afraid of us. as well they should be. β
β we're all backed into corners. β
β is there anything else that must be discussed? for i am weary. β
β you have given me much to ponder. β
β will you please stay? β
β have i offended you? β
β i offer you my blade... and my fealty. β
β it's better to be sworn to an honest fool than to a lying scholar. β
β do not dishonor me. β
β you have my condolences. β
β where are we going? β
β things have certainly changed for us. β
β i never know what to expect from one day to the next β except sorrow and bloodshed. β
β all is not bad. we have won a great victory. it should be celebrated, not mourned. β
β i didn't expect it to happen. β
β what have you done? β
β we only did what we had to. β
β there's no cause to be angry. β
β you know nothing about me. β
β you have been gone for such a long time. β
β may the stars watch over you. β
β i won't be able to stay long. β
β the land is a special thing. care for it, and it'll care for you. β
β here, let me get you something to eat. β
β we can leave at dawn. β
β how was your day? β
β you have endured so much loss, and yet your strength has never failed you. β
β and what shall become of me? β
β there's no reason we should waste our years living apart when we feel like this. β
β i can't provide for you. β
β you seem to have a good understanding of people. β
β what alternative do i have? β
β who would be here besides us? β
β don't. you'll get us both killed. β
β we have to get back and warn everyone. β
β you have to hide. β
β we can get there first if we run. β
β what will you say if they ask for me? β
β come on now! put your back into it! β
β i am sorry for the trouble, but it can't be helped. β
β just make sure you aren't caught. β
β i thought i'd never find you. β
β you should be fine up here. β
β thanks for the help. β
β are you better today? β
β we all need our strength. β
β you have done so much since we last met. β
β you are generous beyond all expectations. β
β we cannot linger on pleasantries. β
β the worst thing a king can do is look foolish. β
β what makes you sure you can do this? β
β close your mouth β it's unbecoming. β
β such joy you have given me. β
β there will be drinking tonight, i wager! β
β you cannot sleep now. β
β now is the time to fulfill your promise. β
β we are about to change history. β
β we're throwing ourselves off a cliff without knowing how deep the water below is. β
β i give my life to you and our cause. β
β now is the time to prepare. β
β it is our turn to strike back. β
β there will never again be such an opportunity. β
β you have earned some powerful enemies today. β
β how did you learn magic? β
β that was a heroic deed. β
β you should be proud of your accomplishment. β
β whatever my fate may be, i don't aspire to rule. β
β what is a king, after all, but a man imprisoned by his duties? β
β it was nearly impossible to get the door open. β
β you had no reason to interfere! β
β you needed my help. β
β if i'd needed your help i would have called. β
β don't yell at me. β
β why couldn't you leave me alone? where was the harm? β
β i am yours to command. β
β guard it with your life; it would cause a great deal of harm in the wrong hands. β
β now is the time to gamble and dare what no one thinks we can accomplish. β
β you needn't fear, i am well defended. β
β i like to be where things are happening. β
β you're braver than i, staying here. β
β perhaps you should consider turning yourself in. β
β i don't want anyone to be hurt on my behalf. β
β it's a nasty situation all around. β
β something should be done. β
β am i somehow responsible for this? β
β you would do that for me? β
β it's this or run for it. β
β everyone's life is at stake. β
β a man can only endure so much abuse before he must strike back. β
β first we fortify, then we fight. β
β we want to scare, not kill. break a few bones if you want, but don't get carried away. β
β that's the best brawl i've had in years. β
β who gave you the authority to make this decision? you've doomed us all! β
β live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn't exist and never shall. there is only now. β
β wise? no, i simply learned to think. β
β those whom we love are often the most alien to us. β
β life is both pain and pleasure. if this is the price you must pay for the hours you enjoy, is it too much? β
β you cannot miss what you never had. β
β how terrible to die alone, separate even from the one who is closest to you. β
β it is better to be taught to think critically than to be told on what to believe. β
β a good compromise leaves everyone angry. β
β the goal matters not, only the journey to it. β
β magic is the art of thinking, not strength or language. β
β a negative outlook is more of a handicap than any physical injury. β
β whatever you make, base it upon that which is most important to you. only then will it have depth and meaning, and only then will it resonate with others. β
β we only give credence to that which we can prove exists. β
β too many problems in this world are caused by men with noble dispositions and clouded minds. β
β avoid roasted cabbage, don't eat earwax, and look on the bright side of life! β
β understanding begets empathy and compassion even for the meanest beggar. β
β things that change and are lost, that is what's worth preserving. β
β he who stands like a pillar dies in battle. he who bends like a reed is triumphant. β
β fate has a cruel sense of humour. β
β power without moral direction is the most dangerous force in the world. β
β understanding breeds empathy. β
β the only certainty is that, eventually, all things shall pass. β
β ignorance, fear, hate: these are our enemies. deny them with all your might. β
β no one thinks of himself as a villain, and few make decisions they think are wrong. β
β life is both pain and pleasure. β
β determination is as common among men who are dull and foolish as it is among those who are brilliant intellects. β
β can someone truly be good if they never have the opportunity to act badly? β
β i won't tell you what to believe. β
β i have a new name for pain. the obliterator. because when you're in pain, nothing else can exist. not thought. not emotion. only the drive to escape the pain. β
β i will never let go of you. β
