What is life like for Daniel in the caves in The Bronze Bow? Why is he living there?

Daniel is
living in the caves at the beginning of because he has fled the master to
whom he had been sold into indentured service. Amalek had been a hard master, often flogging
Daniel. When he could stand it no more, he ran away, and Rosh found him "lying flat on his
face, starving, half frozen, his back still raw from the last flogging." Living with Rosh's
band in the hills is better for him, especially since Rosh initially showed him kindness.
However, Rosh runs the band as a dictator, and his word must be obeyed. Even if Daniel doesn't
agree with a decision...