At the beginning I would recommend re-rolling the dice until you have at least 7 points.

Those 7 points should be distributed between str, agi and melee weapons. (try to get a 3 or 4 in melee ).

Crafting: you have 3 options. (if i am not wrong you should need a 3 to be abel to craft a canteen)
1. get lucky and obtain some crafting gloves (craft +3)
2. train 3 times (- those points in crafting you start with)
3. pay 50 gold to buy the recipe, after talking to the physician

the canteen allows you to replenish stamina and more importantly your fatique.
( that means more training)
you can buy 7 leather and 5 cloth at the trader. (after the next story event the trader will have it again)

Now you should practice until str and agi are at 7, thats the max. (you can raise those stats again after the next story event and you should always try to max those 2 stats)

if you have some time left ....well its up to you^^ ( but remember you enter the battle with your current fatique lvl)

Now get a shield^^ it gives you a greater chance to survive + you can shieldbash your oponents, remove some stamina, knock them down (remove all stamina) and (or) stun them as well.

Have fun

Findrayl