From a WIP in process short story, set in Ancient Egypt:

               Kai threw his shoulders back, stood at attention and stared straight into Pharaoh's eyes. "Sir, my mother is sick and we have no deben for a healer or medicines. My sister has sold all our possessions already and now the landlord threatens to take her as a slave in payment of our mounting debt. Young though I may be, I'm the man of the house, it's my job to provide for my mother and sister, so I thought – "

"You thought...