Draconis Chronicon

Five children on a journey. A legendary dragon. An epic adventure in a magical Middle Ages.

Salerno, 1066. A preacher wanders the streets announcing the end of the world: “The Beast is stirring again! Fear the dragon, because the day of the eclipse is near!” The young Barliario doesn’t pay attention to those words of doom, but that same evening his father, Rainardo, an alchemist, is surprised by a fire in his laboratory. When they bring him out, he is still alive but disfigured by the fire. And while Barliario watches over his bedside, a mysterious and hooded figure, Ahriman, appears and reveals to him: “As it is written in the Draconis Chronicon, bring me the fire of the dragon and Rainardo will be saved.” Barliario doesn’t need to think twice: he has to go. He is accompanied by his friend Shabbatai, who dreams of becoming a warrior, Trotula, a young medical student with a disarming intelligence, Mercuriade, with mysterious powers, and the very young Ligea, who can talk to the dead. Among brigands, werewolves and witches capable of unleashing storms, an epic adventure in which science and magic mix: in search of the dragon’s fire and self-discovery.

• An accurate historical portrait of an early (southern) Middle Ages, which has been little exploited as a fantasy scenario, but is incredibly fascinating.
• Trotula (De Ruggiero) and (Pietro) Barliario are characters who really existed, and the former is considered one of the most influential female figures of the Middle Ages. According to the most reliable sources, she was the first female doctor in history.