The Chronicler's First Publication

​Hail Solo, dear Reader, and welcome back to Balthasar’s Blog. I apologize for the delay in communication. I know you’ve been waiting with bated breath for the second installment of the mythology of Solvigant. The life of a dragon is never idle, and these past two months were no exception. My apothecary was struck by an infestation of a nasty type of sand beetle, the desertic coleopteryx papyri. This small horned beetle can wreak havoc on a library. Thus, it was important that I stamp out the incursion with vigor and haste. I did lose a signed, first-edition of Verlansky’s Draconic Astrology and Volumes I and III of Corbin’s History and Significance of Ankhimian Battle Tattoos, (apparently Volume II didn’t taste very good), but neither one is irreplaceable. 

desertic coleopteryx papyri

Much time has also been taken in correspondence with the chronicler Andrew D.H. Moore. As readers of this blog know, the beery, bearded, bicycling chronicler is writing a series of books about the troublesome pirate Adison Crestone, formerly Adison Faide of House Azure on the moon Saba. Despite my numerous attempts to discourage him, he is persistent. My entreaties that her story might be better off forgotten lest they reveal certain—astro-aetherial dangers to the wrong reader have fallen on deaf ears.

Since my daughter, Rehka Drake, is complicit in much of the story, I am resigned to aid chronicler Moore to the best of my ability. [This despite his infuriating tendency to fictionalize and dramatize certain elements of the story, but that is historical fiction for you.] For all my cantankerousness, I am pleased to report that Children of Solo will be available to readers April 18, 2025. I for one am grateful for a brief respite in Chronicler Moore’s correspondence, if only to have more time to contribute to other matters, such as these writings. 

The chronicle's front cover

To tell a story of this magnitude, with such repercussions for the entire World System is no mean feat. Many evenings have we spent, huddled before the fireplace in the salon of the Imperial Library in Thail sipping Sabaian marsh whiskey or Behlian honey wine, debating the various details. In truth, dear reader, I grow old, even for a dragon, and my memory is not what it once was. Moore’s research has dredged up myriad memories, many of them painful, but I am glad to have had the chance to reminisce. I may even venture so far as to say, we have become friends.

I encourage you to devote some of your own spare time to the investigation of this chronicle. Reach out to me by commenting on this blog or contacting the chronicler himself if there are topics you wish me to address, or questions you may have about the World System. If I do not know the answers, I know where to find them. One of the perks of Chronicler Moore’s fellowship at the Imperial Library, is that he allows me to use his office for my own whimsical research needs. Next week I will return to Solvigant’s history and mythology. In the meantime, if you find yourself with a free Saturday evening and you live within a reasonable distance to the author, join him for a pint of Verdun’s finest. Pat him on the back but remind him to get back to work. Adi’s story is far from over.
 

Our shared study at the Imperial Library in Thail