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."