When the Starling Screams (ePub)

Kingdoms are built upon something. Strength of arms, political alliance, grand magics. Something binds a kingdom together.
The Kingdom of Calere was bound together by magic and control of those called Pequenyo who could practice it. It is a cruel land with harsh masters that keep the people under their sway and enslave any who show signs of magic.
That is why the Three Brothers became infamous bandits. Their specialty is snatching young Pequenyo from under the boot of their rulers. Taking one Pequenyo after another to safety was what they did, their noble sponsor offering them options for whom to rescue next.
Yet this rescue was unlike any other. They had rescued hundreds of young women, but none as beautiful and fierce as this one. Named Miata, the King had recently claimed her as his ward, making her part of his household, and vastly increasing the risk of taking her. That and she was both fierce and scared, something the Three Brothers had found a dangerous combination in the past. They had a reputation for horrifying acts, stories spread about them by nobles who feared them. And she had just watched the last of her family die.
Though each brother used a different approach, all try to lay her fears to rest. But things are never as simple as they seem, and the brothers find deeper and deeper layers of intrigue and treason as they endeavor to spirit her away from the kingdom to their safe-haven far from the nobles. All but one noble, their patron, who provided the land and supplies for the safe haven.
Running from nearly everyone in power - from the King's Knife to the King's Guard, from nobles and the Cazadore' mercenaries they hired to find her, even at times from their own friends, their quest to get her to safety may just save the Kingdom from itself. If they can convince her that they are not the threat.