Tethered (The Avenlore Series) by Tasha Van Der Hyde

chorus, the sound of swords being drawn from their sheaths rose up on all sides.  Knights were mounting their horses and shouting words I couldn’t concentrate on.
    Nikolas’ command was the only one I understood.  “ARCHERS!”
    Men who had seconds ago been joking, laughing, and pitching tents were now all business as they fell into formation at Nikolas’ words.  Knives, bows, arrows, swords and a multitude of other weapons I couldn’t properly identify were unsheathed, nocked, and at the ready…every eye focused and searching for danger. 
    The wagons had been circled.
    Oh, no.
    I still had no idea what was going on.  I looked around frantically in the dusky light for the source of the screaming.  When I found it, my stomach turned.
    One of the scouts was riding furiously toward us, bellowing his warning for all he was worth.  Scarlet stained his cream tunic, but he rode with such conviction and dedication that he seemed unaware of his injury.  A chill ran down to my bones when I finally made out his words as he shouted them again.  “BLACK RIDERS!”
    Then, the scout’s body jolted and he slumped forward, falling off the horse.  I couldn’t understand why at first, but then I could see feathered fletchings of two arrows reaching up and out of his back once his body hit the ground.
    Liam and Nikolas cursed at the same time. 
    Nikolas screamed another command.  “FIRE AT WILL!” 
    Just like the first time, I felt the Earth tremble beneath the feet of their horses.  I trembled as well.
    There didn’t seem to more than fifteen, possibly twenty.  But Liam had said something about them being faster and stronger than a human should be and I wasn’t sure how much our numbers would matter as a result of that.
    They were closing quickly, maybe a minute or so before the two sides met.  I searched frantically for my father now.  I had just met him, I barely knew him and now I was afraid I’d never get the chance.  My eyes darted around and after a few seconds, I spotted him riding toward us, a sword in his hand as well.  All traces of his sunny smile were gone from his face in this moment.  He looked at me as if his heart was breaking and then spoke to Nikolas.  “You will keep her safe.”
    Nikolas nodded and said simp ly,  “Always.”  I had a new respect for Nikolas in that moment.  Not because it was so important that he protect me, but because his loyalty was so real it was almost tangible.
    My father was satisfied with his answer as well and he turned to me.  “I will see you soon, Sweet Girl.”  With th at, he charged forward,  as his deep baritone bellow pierced the air. “DEFEND!  DEFEND!”
    Tears began to pour from my eyes as I watched him ride away. 
    I felt helpless as the battle began.  The din of metal against metal surrounded us, here in the center of the guard. 
    Liam steadily loosed arrows and so far as I could tell, he never missed his mark.  Too soon, he traded the bow for a sword.   Nikolas stood at the ready, a sword for each hand.  The enemy was that close now. 
    All at once, e verywhere I looked men were engaged in battle.  I could see how the Black Knights seemed inhumanly powerful.  But still, there was something to be said for good old determination…and also swords that gave off an ethereal glow in the hands of the Knights of Castle Lux.
    I didn’t know how, but I knew they were pivotal in keeping the Black Knights from plowing through them.  The only one here who didn’t have such a sword was Liam.
    But he had something up his sleeve.  His sword looked like the blade was carved of ice I noticed now.  He and Nikolas were now both engaged on either side of me and I stood there feeling stupid and useless. 
    For every stroke that fell on Liam’s blade, a surge of blue current was conducted down his opponent’s sword, visibly denting the superior strength with each blow.
    I stood there, alternating between watching Nikolas as he fought and Liam as