Bandits

The bandits seemed like the best option right now, there was a group not too far away and they could easily be paid off. And so she set out from her tower with a small **** of goblins as guards and made way to the bandit camp in the hills. The journey through the swamp was slow and several goblins had been eaten by the creatures that called it home. The hills were peaceful and far better when compared to the swamp, but she'd have her forces make the swamp easier to trek though in the future as she'd like to keep her tower there to avoid wandering adventurers.

On the third day of traveling Nerium found the bandit camp, a small makeshift fort made from dirt, rocks, and sharpened wood all built on the ruins of an old outpost. At the entrance she was stopped by a couple of archers who asked what the witch and her goblin entourage were doing here. She answered by asking to see their leader for a proposition and tossed a few coins on the ground. The bandits were crazed at the sight of the gold pieces and let her go through, mouths watering at the thought of paid work. Inside there were rows and rows of tents as well as a large open area with fire pits and pigs roasting on spits.

The greasy and rugged men leered at the woman as she strolled through their camp, barely acknoldging their presence. Each had a mix of distrust and dislike as well as lust for the woman as they didn't seem to have any women around. Eventually she found herself in front of the ruined tower where a large man emerged from the doorway, "The lads tell me you have a proposition. Tell me who you are and what you want."

"I am Nerium, the Witch Queen of these lands. I wish you hire your band as mercenaries for my army. I can pay well and you'll have plenty more once we begin taking over more land."

"Hmmmm...Sounds promising, but how do we know you can keep up your end and not just throw us away when you have what you want?"

"I have a sack of gold waiting for you and I'd be happy to do anything to set your mind at ease."