Knights of the Martyr. Book One of the Martyrs Children Series

The Northern Kingdom was founded on pain and battle. Pain from years of persecution for their religious beliefs at the hands of the Justican Empire. Then Battle when they followed a lone El back through uncharted mountains to a harsh land populated by the fecund Barrow Kin where they had to win their place in the world through 25 years of hard fought war. But win it they did.
For 50 years they have known peace, and Justice was handed down by the Knights of the Martyr. However, with the end of the centuries of wars in the South their former masters, the Justican Empire with their God like Emperors have once again set their eyes on them.
A giant of a knight who has grown jaded in his faith. A young boy with powers he can’t explain. A young girl who has more secrets than dreams. And a novice Duke trying to fill the shoes of his murdered father. These are the people ready to do what they think is best for the Northern Kingdom.