TCoM: Archolos is a total conversion of Gothic 2 so it uses the same controls.
ihi888: - when trying to attack rat with knife I hold knife in my hand and hit LMB but nothing happens?
Press and hold LMB + press whatever you've bound movement (Forward, Strafe left, Strafe right, Backward) to.
Pressing and holding LMB + Forward does a standard slashing attack (pressing Forward again at the right time does a follow-up thrusting attack; higher weapon proficiencies unlock a third and fourth attack).
Pressing and holding LMB + Strafe left/Strafe right does a standard swiping attack from either left to right or right to left.
Pressing and holding LMB + Backward allows you to block incoming attacks (not sure but may be timing-sensitive as well).
All of those can be chained together in any order. With no/low weapon proficiency executing and chaining together the attacks will be rather slow and feel unresponsive (mirroring the character's lack in experience with fighting and handling weapons) but gets progressively faster/more responsive as you gain more weapon proficiency.
ihi888: - when tryig to attack some monster with short bow I hold LMB but how to release an arrow?
Press and hold LMB + press Forward.
At no/low proficiency in ranged weapons you'll miss the target quite a lot though. Higher proficiency raises the hit chance, the critical hit chance as well as extends the effective range of targeting. Raising Dexterity also increases range + damage.