"Mercenaries aren't too common here, are they?" Penelope asked.
The men looked at her, a little surprised at the girl's sudden input. In matters of fighting, she rarely spoke. She'd seemed content earlier to let them have their discussions, merely sipping her iced juice with an entranced expression on her face. Even she – normally oblivious – seemed to realize that she'd spoken out of turn, and blushed lightly.
"No, they aren't," Harland said, answering politely. "With raiding as an option, I think most would-be mercenaries head into that instead. Though, it's likely also the case that without a significant amount of strength, the local nobility would probably see it fit to crush a mercenary band before they could develop into a true threat."
"I see. I think it's more for the sake of the raiding leaders, than the raiders themselves, though," Penelope said, considering it. "I mean, you can gather men without paying them, right? You just need to promise loot."