Mana faces her execution with astounding calmness, seeming more concerned for her lost hands than for the black blade rising above her neck.

It swings downward.

Mana's head hits the stone floor chin-first and doesn't roll. Her body rises by reflex, then twitches and falls in a heap.

They send it back to her father, taunting him to send his other three daughters to test their magic abilities against a truly dangerous foe.

To their surprise, King Hale takes the obvious bait and sends his other three beautiful daughters, plus two allies, to complete the raid Mana started.

Perhaps the king has a trick up his sleeve.