The Bandit Queen of Crystal Falls - Ona of Ozmora

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."