The Bandit Queen of Crystal Falls — Ash Gray

Ona is asked by the queen of Purvara to use her skills to stop the Red Hand, a band of raiders who are terrorizing the countryside. Though Ona and the queen were once lovers, the queen keeps their meeting as businesslike as possible.  -- Which one was taken? asked Ona, thinking of the sweet little girls.  Aurora, said the queen heavily.  Ah. Aurora was the youngest, and – if Ona was honest – her favorite of the three. A redheaded, curly-haired, giggly, innocent child with large green eyes. And she'd been taken by forest-dwelling ruffians! Ona still wondered how it was possible. The royal guards were highly trained, dedicated, and well-paid. They couldn't be bought.  I will kill these bandits for you, said Ona. Where are they?  My scouts have tracked them to a cave outside the village. Crystal Falls. Their leader currently resides there. Bring me her head.