The tension snapped like a bowstring.
Steel rang as Darius lunged first, his blade flashing toward Isolde's chest. She didn't even move her feet. With a flick of her wrist, a glowing rune circle formed in the air — clang! His strike rebounded as though he'd struck an invisible wall. Sparks crackled, his sword vibrating in his hands.
"Too slow," Isolde said coldly.
Another knight rushed from her left, shield raised high. She pivoted, hand slicing through the air. A pulse of invisible force hit him square in the chest — thoom! — sending him flying across the room. He hit the wall with a grunt, his shield clattering to the ground.
The inn's floorboards shook under boots as the rest of Cedric's knights charged together, a dozen men filling the space with steel and shouts.
Oliver took half a step forward, but Isolde lifted her hand slightly. "Stay back. This is nothing."
Then she moved.
