Amell does not clearly remember what act had brought her to the attention of the Chantry; she thinks she might have been showing off to some of her playmates, but she isn't sure what exactly she was doing. She thinks maybe it was something to do with fire, because children often go through a certain phase when they derive enjoyment from arson, but whatever it was, Templars come for her.
Her mother hides her in the haystack and tells her that it is a game, it is all just a game, and the rule is that the men in armor mustn't see her. She accepts this with great glee and watches the Templars as they enter the house and she is very happy, because they are yelling angrily and isn't this fun, how they can't find me? They ask her mother over and over about her hiding place, but the woman denies knowing. Mother is very good at this game.
But the men in armor exit the house again and call out for her in gentle, reassuring tones, but she isn't fooled and does not move from her hiding place. They have to find her and asking her to just show herself is cheating.
One of the men leaves for a short while and returns with a candied apple from the marketplace, promising it to her if she shows herself and it is only at that point that Amell decides the game must be over and since she's getting something sweet, she clearly must have won. She wiggles out of the itchy haystack and makes a beeline for the candied apple.
Mother is upset, of course, but Amell only hears a sharp cry before she is shepherded off by the man who gave her the apple. He promises to take her some place nice if she's a good girl and Amell feels a twinge of doubt at this. Will she be home by supper? Because mother always scolds her when she arrives late for supper.
The man in armor reasons that since she is already eating something, she can have supper late. Amell approves of this reasoning.
Ten years later, Amell passes the Tower kitchens and gets the vague impression that she is late somewhere.