Perhaps the most astounded person in the entire gathering was Evander. Of everyone present, he understood Xavier's strength and temperament best. He had spent years watching him, measuring himself against him, and considering how he might overcome him.
Yet Xavier had been beaten so thoroughly by someone years his junior!
Evander couldn't even blame him. Faced with that speed and overwhelming strength, he doubted he would have fared any better!
Xavier had struck first, securing the element of surprise, only to lose before he could complete another spell. Every attempt to retaliate had been crushed with contemptuous ease!
And now he was kneeling before Elion, offering the allegiance of an entire duchy.
Evander looked toward the young man standing over him. Elion still looked exhausted, his face pale from whatever had happened during his encounter with Albert. He had done all of this while already weakened.
A cold shiver ran down Evander's spine.
