This sounds like something from the brothers Grimm!
Your starting slave shouldn't run away, because he/she has the trait "Grateful", so there are no luxury requirements. Don't bother giving them extra food etc.
Buy weapons and armor before going out into the world.
Up your agility with the first few points you get. That way you shouldn't get ambushed in Wimborn Outskirts every few steps, you can pick and choose your fights with weaklings to level up.
I got my ass handed to me the first time I played this. It's become something I love about the game. If you go out and fight bandits naked with your bare hands, things don't end well. Same as real life hahaa.