As the ladies plot since parting ways with the kind farmer they realize there is merit in they themselves doing ambushes in area and attack caravans. As if bandits notice someone else is in their turf they either come confront them or wait knight's men sort the newcomers out. It's clear local bandits are dying breed and are struggling maintain their lifestyle so they may not be pros but very careful at least and paranoid.<br/><br/>So if they attack caravan the question is will some knight's assigned soldiers come to them first or bandits, also if they competent manner deal with soldiers then bandits may be more up to form alliance if it's given onto table. Also easy way to make bandits is from those who are struggling to make by under the extreme harsh regime; example the farmer they met is one living outside of safety from towns patrols by choice after all. So there may be dozen or some more people living in wilderness who would be easy prey for bandits.<br/><br/>But so far farmer said no single word about bandits attacking the farms though.....just the caravans. So clearly bandits leave the folks living in wilderness alone and so their background wise come from same stock. Harsh winter here and there and have need mouths to feed. If they want specifically bandits get riled up, they can target one the farms and purpose leave a survivor. Word definitely would spread fast and anger the bandits.