Shrouded Piety: The Osiris Contract

The Osiris Contract is a Drama and Historical Fiction book announced in late 2020 and began September 12, 2020, and is part of the Shrouded Piety series. This book—alongside Order of Yaktosh—exists as a reboot of Tale of Two Godcrafts. The Osiris Contract is the first book in the rebooted Shrouded Piety series, but shares this spot with Order of Yaktosh, which can alternatively be treated as the first book. Chronologically, Order of Yaktosh takes place centuries before The Osiris Contract (with the exception of the latter's Prologue) and thus may be treated as the more ideal entry into Shrouded Piety.

This book revolves around the ancient Egyptian, SAt-Wsjr (better known by her later name, Selina Osiris), who is an immortal spellcaster known as a 'Godcraft.' Common themes in this story include supernaturalism, warfare, religion, politics, and intrigue. The story briefly starts in ancient Egypt, but mostly kicks off during the French occupation of Egypt in 1798 CE, when Napoleon Bonaparte frees Selina from a tomb in the Pyramids. The story takes place within the years of 1798-1804, covering the rise of Napoleon from General to French Emperor.

Shrouded Piety: The Osiris Contract contains adult themes consisting of violence, light cursing, sexuality, and topics of bigotry.

## Plot

Long ago, the next in a long line of Egyptian princes mourns the passing of the great pharaoh and now prepares to inherit his throne. Before the new reign can begin, the son of the fallen pharaoh oversees the funerary process of his father within one of the pyramids, bringing priests, entertainers, and artists forward to see his spirit pass into the afterlife. Put in charge of the funeral ritual is an immortal 'Godcraft' known as SAt-Wsjr, who with her fire casting powers assists the artists by burning in the funerary text and images into the tomb walls. Unknown to SAt-Wsjr, the new pharaoh has intentions of doing his father one final service, and during the funeral traps everyone inside of the tomb, intending to send them all off into the afterlife with his father. While many in the room pleaded with SAt-Wsjr to help get them out, she is simply too loyal to the pharaoh, and thus allows the trapped mortals to perish, and for herself to remain trapped indefinitely.

Come the end of the 18th century CE, the fires of the French Revolution continue to leave France with fierce instability. One of its most renowned and respected generals, Napoleon Bonaparte, now finds himself leading a distant campaign in Egypt against the Ottoman Empire and allied Mamluks. Filled with personal excitement for the exotic land he now occupies, Napoleon makes it his side mission to gather as many artifacts and research from the campaign as he can, and to this end, he himself and only he decides to enter the Pyramids. There in the dark, ancients walls of pharaohs, Napoleon uncovers the sealed tomb of one such pharaoh, as well as the necklace of the long lost ancient Godcraft, SAt-Wsjr, whom continues to live within this necklace to this day. Calling her 'Mary,' but later 'Selina,' she is distraught to discover the radical changes to Egypt in this new era—namely the absence of the pharaoh and faith in the old gods. Napoleon is quick to capitalize on her ancient patriotism, insisting that—as occupant of Egypt—he is the rightful inheritor to the throne of pharaoh, and therefore that she should submit herself to him. Reluctantly, Selina swears fealty to him, but on the thin condition that he restores an independent pharaonic Egypt to the world.

With an immortal Godcraft under his thumb, Napoleon proceeds onward with his many ambitions, beginning with the taming of Egypt, and later advancing into the chaotic realm of French politics. Selina must adapt to the no longer ancient world around her, which includes learning of new languages, new religions, new continents, new political affairs, all while aiming for the freedom of Egypt—a promise Napoleon in actuality has no interest in fulfilling.