Ilyana never knew what it meant, only how people treated her. Young, left to wander, she appealed to people's sympathies rather than thieving. To beg hurt her pride, but she told herself she deserved to survive. Over time she learned to appear less pathetic, more ravenous. But even that method invited conflict from those who took it as a challenge. She learned to feign illness, hide in shade. Never show too much.
Eventually the knots in her stomach caused her collapse. A caravan trundled her way. She faced the rattle.
With a spare scrap of cloth she concealed her brand.