Bab 782: New Information

Orion clenched his fists, willing the trembling to stop, but the subtle tremor persisted. It wasn't fear that made his hands shake; it was the aftershock of exerting control over a force that could easily turn the tables if given the chance. The elf had been a formidable opponent, and while Orion had managed to subdue him, he knew deep down that it had been a close call.

He hadn't backed down because of mercy; mercy had nothing to do with it. No, Orion had relented because he wasn't entirely sure if he could defeat the elf in a full-blown confrontation. The man was strong—far stronger than he had initially appeared—and Orion couldn't afford to engage in a battle where the outcome was uncertain. The trembling in his hands was a stark reminder of that uncertainty.