2 1/2 Years Earlier
Immalaine sat in front of the small campfire, her arms wrapped around her legs as she lay her head on her knees. Quietly she sat, watching the flames in an attempt to forget the rumbling in her stomach. On the other side of the campsite, her guardian spoke with the man in charge, seeking some sort of work he could do to earn a few coins or a meal and a bed for the night. Sighing, she turned her head, not really paying attention as they spoke in low tones. It'd been several days since he'd found any work and he was becoming surly and withdrawn. Immalaine wished there was some way to cheer him up, yet her own spirits were lacking lately as well.
She watched a rabbit go by, wishing she had her bow that she practiced with on the farm, not for the first time. She had borrowed one from a hunter awhile back, but it had long since been broken and she had no coin to get it repaired. She had seen some hunters use snares, and she decided she would have to try to learn how. At least she could be useful that way.
She heard footsteps behind her, and looking back she saw that her guardian had returned. She watched as he sat down heavily on the ground beside her, a scowl on his face as he stared into the fire. She waited quietly for a moment for him to speak, letting him have his peace.
Finally, he looked at her, his lips pursed and his eyes unreadable as he seemed to stare and consider what he was going to say. "No work, I reckon then?" Immalaine asked him, speaking first. He shook his head, "No work fer me." he replied, his voice harsh.
Immalaine nodded, having somehow expected that, when he grabbed her arm and gave her a look. "But th'man, he'd speak wit' ye." She looked over at the man on the other side of the campsite, furrowing her brow in confusion. "Me?" she asked, turning back to her guardian,
"Aye, ye lass. Now git ye o'er there, an' do whate'er he says to ye." he let her arm go, turning to stare at the fire and Immalaine stood up, stretching as she looked over to the other side of the camp. She felt uneasy suddenly but did as she was told.
The man looked over as she approached, inspecting her from head to toe with a sneer. "How old are you girl?" he asked.
"Jus' turned 16 sir," she answered, not liking the way he stared at her but standing still and waiting for him to speak again.
He nodded, continuing his examination of her for a moment. "You'll do." he said, jerking his head towards his tent. "Get your butt in there, I'll be along shortly." He added, as she walked away, "And you better be naked when I get there, cause I don't like delays."
She heard the snickers of his men behind her and turning crimson red, she paused ready to flee. Yet, remembering her guardian's words, she followed the man's directions, and headed to the tent.
