Shusha

By Ian Taylor

Shusha follows two complex women – an alluring Egyptian high priestess and a scandalous Victorian heiress – connected by a mysterious, supernatural bond across centuries. This historical fantasy follows the life of a young Egyptian girl, destined for greatness, whose path is mysteriously guided by a divine feline entity. Surrounded by palace intrigue, this bewitching priestess undergoes many trials and tribulations in the pursuit of ultimate divinity.

Centuries later in Victorian London, wealthy young socialite Rose courts power in her own right, inheriting a lavish estate amidst whispers of foul play. As Rose develops a shadowy coterie of Egyptian servants and creates a subterranean shrine to honour artefacts from the ancient world, her eccentricities, and the mysterious influence of a past life provoke scandals amongst London’s elite circles.

What is the secret behind the cosmic connection between these two complex women?

The novel masterfully blends mysticism and historical realities, exploring themes of destiny and the unseen forces shaping our lives. Taylor’s narrative delicately balances the revelation of fate with a sense of intrigue, keeping the girl’s ultimate destiny shrouded in mystery, inviting readers to explore a world where myth and history converge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035831883

Ian Taylor

Ian Taylor writes about an Egyptian girl who becomes a queen due to her goddess. The cat goddess based in ancient Egypt and being reborn in Victorian times.

Book preview

About the Author

Ian Taylor writes about an Egyptian girl who becomes a queen due to her goddess. The cat goddess based in ancient Egypt and being reborn in Victorian times.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my dear departed cousin,

Katherine Sykes.

Copyright Information ©

Ian Taylor 2024

The right of Ian Taylor to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035831876 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035831883 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgemtn

I thank Austin Macauley for their trust and assistance.

The start of this story spans a varied measure of time.

The date is between 950 and 929 BC.

In the reign of Pharaoh H.Amon (Eldesty)

The evening sun was beginning to fade over the horizon as the long accumulation of caravans (which had gathered together for the purpose of protection) crossed the vast expanse of desert.

The leader of one of these small caravans was a strongly built man of twenty-five whose name was Shishak.

He and his sister Shusha had travelled through Armenia and Syria from the Caucasus, halting only to decide which route to take for the final leg of their journey to Egypt.

After much consultation with local tribesmen, they decided to go through Phoenice in preference to Judaea, which was in the throes of civil war.

Shortly after leaving the lands of Phoenice, they came upon the staging point where a number of other caravans were in the middle of unpacking for the night. Shishak’s caravan passed through the large gates of the city so that they too might stay the night here.

As they filed past, Shishak pulled his mount to one side in order that he might survey his surroundings. He noticed that the city walls were without soldiers, and in parts, the walkways of the battlements had given way and piles of dust and stone lay strewn in the dusty streets. As his sister Shusha came alongside, he spurred his mount to keep pace with hers, both had seen many such towns, and in comparison to some, this was nothing more than a village.

As his caravan settled down for the night, Shishak took this opportunity to go and explore the city as he had done in all the other places they had passed through since crossing into Egypt. He had in his mind a good idea as to the kind of home they wanted and the style and condition which they required. The thought came into Shishak’s mind that perhaps this town might have something promising although it seemed at first glance unlikely, however, if it suited their requirements… well, it was as good here as any of the other places they had seen so far.

As he strolled along, he noticed that many of the buildings were deserted and large holes showed where materials had been taken to repair other less damaged property.

Upon enquiring about a suitable dwelling, a man of rather large build, who announced himself as the son of Sheikh El Arras, promptly told him of a villa that he was willing to sell if a reasonable price could be arranged. Upon the completion of the inspection of the villa, the task of fixing a price began. After a long session of haggling, the final price was set and, though high, was more or less well within the personal limits he had set himself. So it was that Shishak and his sister ceased their long trek in search of a home and new life. Their knowledge of Egyptians and their way of life was limited though the language barrier was soon overcome as much had been learned in conversations with their fellow travellers in the caravan they had shared.

The goods Shishak traded grew at an alarming rate. The people were poor and money very scarce but much was sold to Shishak at a third or even less of its value and those in turn were sent to other cities and resold at vast profits. So well did his trade prosper that within three years, their treatment as nobility was beyond question, and Shishak realised that he could not rise any higher in status than he had achieved. In many different ways, his efforts were thwarted before they had even started, usually by other traders, but in most cases by the townspeople themselves.

But where Shishak found himself obstructed, his sister Shusha most certainly did not, and her methods were far different in comparison to her brother’s. She was a small girl of medium build with hair as black as jet though most attractive were her dark and mysterious eyes. Her personality was so captivating that even in the art of conversation she could drive men to the heights of ecstasy, for her sensuousness flowed like wine.

While exploring the city Shusha came upon the temple of the local deity, a Cat Goddess whose name was Bastet though more commonly known as Bast. The temple itself was small and could only hold about two hundred people at any time, and as she observed the followers of the Cat Goddess, she saw at once the inadequacy of the temple owing to its size. Many had to pay homage from outside the temple upon the hard and stony ground, where no shades were provided and the hot sun beat down on the large crowd gathered around the temple.

On returning to the villa, Shusha sought her brother and upon finding him told him about what she had seen. Together Shishak and Shusha outlined a plan that would bring about the people’s blessing.

Wasting no time Shishak ordered drawings to be made of the designs of the new temple. Upon their completion, Shishak was most pleased with the style and gave orders for it to be erected. The cost would be great as Shusha had estimated, but as she had said, the rewards would far outweigh the outlay, and this proved to be true when it was completed one year later.

Upon its consecration, the temple was all ready for the idol of the cat to be brought in and placed at the altar.

The great ceremony was completed, ending with thanksgiving to the prince and princess who had made all this possible. From now on they would be referred to as the prince and princess of Quesette, and on the advice of Shusha, Shishak had a proclamation made to the people.

O people of Quesette

Let it be known that in homage to the Goddess

His Highness Prince Shishak orders

That from this day the city of Quesette shall

For evermore be known as Bubastis

And upon this day there shall be rejoicing

Shusha had given this matter much thought, for she knew that by making this proclamation to the people, the high priests would have to go along with it especially the high priest whose name was Kahi.

This naturally caused ill feelings between the old priest and Prince Shishak. With the renaming of the city and the splendid new temple, the popularity of the Cat Goddess grew and grew, from strength to strength throughout the region.

The calling away of Priest Kahi by her brother, Prince Shishak, gave Shusha the chance to enter the temple unnoticed, and as she reached the altar, the lanterns cast a golden glow upon the idol of the cat. Its appearance gave her, deep inside, the feeling of immense power and nobility with its jewelled eyes and pointed ears. She spoke to the cat in less than a whisper, all her emotions, all her inner tensions were laid before the idol of the cat.

O great Goddess Bastis, help me that I may be the one to bring all Egypt to your temple, so that I may bring all as I rule all Egypt in your name. Grant me this wish O Goddess and my soul is thine to do with as you please.

Slowly bowing her head she rose from her kneeling position and crossed her breast with her arms in homage as she had seen the old high priest do. After the wish, she must now send off her wish as she must also seal the bargain by the touching of the stone of power which was placed at the side of the temple. Slowly she paced over to the small altar and, as she had seen done before, she reached out her hand. As she looked over her shoulder, the idol seemed to be alive, its jewelled eyes sparkling in the torchlight. A deep inner feeling of sheer terror grabbed at her heart as if to warn her of the dangers she was placing her very soul in, but with a deep breath, she steeled herself and carried on with the prayer in a whisper.

Be still, she thought to herself, I must have power even if I must suffer for all eternity.

Shusha reached out her hand, hesitating for a second before dipping her delicate fingers into a bowl of sacred oil. She smoothed it over a small round stone, black and shiny in a gold clasp, shaped into a slim hand holding the stone. With a bow, her arms crossed over her breast; she raised, turned, and left the temple. The light still flickered upon the idol and from a distance it almost seemed to be smiling.

The desire for her to be Cat Goddess became almost an obsession, and she sought out the old scriptures and learned them by heart. She soon became experienced and, after gaining access to the temple archives, learned sufficient, if not more, than the actual priests themselves. Shusha had the rituals copied and afterwards returned the originals to their appropriate shelves, leaving out only those which she felt might give the priests access to her actual knowledge of Bast’s complicated rituals. Of these, she kept the copies and made the originals so in need of repair that they were illegible. Each copy was marked with the personal seal of Bast.

Prince Shishak sent for the high priest whose name rekindled the trouble they had last had with him.

Kahi, the old and stocky priest, whose shaven head and constant bad temper were his personal trade mark stood before Prince Shishak and said, You have sent for me, Your Highness.

Shishak spoke softly and precisely, I wish to ask you some questions of which you, as high priest, can put my mind at ease.

Of course, Your Highness, came the reply from the priest.

Bast is a female goddess. Is that not so? questioned Shishak slyly.

Yes, Highness, said Kahi puzzled.

And there is only one high priest? questioned Shishak.

That is so, Highness, said Kahi nodding.

Then tell me why the goddess does, a female, not have a high priestess to tend to her womanly instincts?

There has never been a high priestess, Highness.

Then what if I put it to you that there should be.

Then it would be wrong, said Kahi, agitated. The old ways state beyond question that only a high priest may convey the word of the goddess.

Is this so? asked Shishak sternly.

It is, Your Highness, said Kahi lowering his voice.

You have scriptures to confirm this?

Kahi nodded, sure of himself, I do, Highness.

Then I would like to see them. You will bring them to me tomorrow, so that I may see if this is so. You may go.

The priest bowed and said, I shall bring them, Highness, and he left. Upon his search of the library of scrolls, all had, at first glance, seemed as usual, but on closer inspection, he found the