[center][B][U]I'onriyi Stonehand[/U][/B][/center]

Making his way towards the new location, as it appeared his target, and the assassin who he'd met earlier, had teleported, I'onriyi again tried to figure out how the man was doing that. The penin doubted that the assassin, Ixion, would tell him even if he asked and this annoyed him somewhat. Nonetheless, there had been a victim and now there was one who he saw as responsible.

Arriving at the new location, having tracked them via their magical energy, the penin was roughly three fourths of the way through his spell, which would have been instrumental in knocking the aggressor of balance. This perhaps would have allowed him to restrain him with a second or third spell while the other two, Ixion and the stranger, distracted the individual. However, as he turned the corner and looked upon the situation he saw that not only would hitting [I]just[/I] his target be difficult, but that --miraculously--his target did something unbelievable.

He seemed to almost vanish into thin air. The stranger, who had executed a lunge, flew right through him, and Ixion's attack appeared to fail outright as it met no resistance and thus cut no flesh. So he stood there, mouth somewhat agape, even as the aggressor's energy fled, removing itself entirely from the situation. This left just the three of them: a mage, the stranger, and an assassin. Unsure as to what to do he noticed the stranger move into what appeared to be a combative posture, but nonetheless I'on did not appear to react except for to grip his staff tighter, his knuckles turning slightly white. Grunting from annoyance, and as the wave of physical fatigue began to set in as his adrenaline fell away, I'on walked towards Ixion, appearing to ignore the other fellow entirely. However, in truth I'on's spell remained at the ready, and his senses alert.

He knew Ixion, even if he had been threatening before, but he did not know this other man. It did not help that the man was hooded and his face obscured, as if to make sure that no one could gauge his intentions from his facial expression. Sighing lightly and gritting his teeth, I'on stopped only six feet from Ixion, looking down at him with a look of clear annoyance. In truth he was checking to see if the man was gravely wounded, though he kept his distance as he was not sure if the assassin would recall meeting him. Regardless, it was never unwise to take certain precautions, though in truth the penin hoped that a blast of wind, brought forth through elemental magic, would be enough to deter any assault from Ixion if he decided to turn on him for some reason or another. Afterall, he already had one spell at the ready, and he'd rather reserve it for the stranger as it would be easier to cast on someone further away, rather than Ixion who was only several strides from him.

The edge of his mouth turning down slightly as I'on looked at Ixion, the penin eventually spoke, [B]"So assassin, what's all this about?"[/B] There was a distinct annoyance in his voice, though it was primarily derived from his wish to return home and rest, rather than any perceived slight from the man. Nonetheless, I'on did consider Ixion at least a small annoyance at this point, for twice now he had caused him problems.

It didn't help that the entire situation was very suspicious. Hopefully the assassin would be able to shed some light on things, not that I'on trusted him. Problem was, he and the stranger were his only sources in regards to what had just happened.

It was unfortunate, but that was the lay of things. So he waited, hoping that neither human would instigate a second bout of combat, he'd had enough confrontation for one day.