<b><span style="font-size: 18px">Fishyard to Beldabar's Rest</span></b><br/><br/>Gnomes were no better at taking 'no' for an answer than males of most other species.  The difference was, gnomes rarely had the pleasure of forcing their will on others physically, but they could be pretty damn persistent and finding other ways and Nock's clever mind was already working on Ixana's gentle, but no less disappointing let down.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(97, 189, 109)">"I guess."</span>He says like a petulant child and shrugs the shoulder she set her hand on and continues walking, at least until he sees the next shiny object he 'must' have to complete his project.<br/><br/>The inn was rather unique being underground, the room was nice enough and felt very secure.  Nock quickly got to work and the clinking of his little hammer was soon filling the room as he worked and tinkered.  It was not long before there was a soft rap on the door and one of the staff was waiting for someone to open the door.  It would likely have to be Ixana as Nock was clearly in his zone of inspiration and barely even looked up at the interruption.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"My compliments Miss."</span>The nervous bellboy stammered out even as his eyes seemed focused just a bit below Ixana's.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"There are several, ah gentlemen, inquiring about your signs."</span>He offered then fidgeted with the collar of his staff uniform as if it were just a bit too tight as he continued to look at Ixana's well displayed breasts.  She would need to end the conversation with him somehow, as he seemed perfectly content to eyeball her funbags for the rest of the evening.<br/><br/>Assuming she answered the summons to the great hall of the Inn, she would find two fierce looking warriors who, other than both being male, couldn't have been more different.  The first,<a class="link link--external" href="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8e/95/c1/8e95c127c6a1766d2133436f40048f53.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Lars</a>, was shaggy and uncouth, his eyes almost immediately working their way up and down the warlock's sexy body, barely concealing his lust before finally looking up into her eyes.  He held one of her posters, which he apparently had ripped down, not seeing much need to continue to advertise a position he clearly intended to fill.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"This you?"</span>He asked, lifting a tankard of ale to his lips and drinking, some of it running down his shaggy beard before he wiped it with his sleeve.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(163, 143, 132)">"Of course it is her, what other beauty within a hundred leagues is so precious as to need the finest and strongest sword arm to protect her?" </span>The second,<a class="link link--external" href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/57/2e/fd572e0d45d8875aad244b98dbda9d9b.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Ivan</a>, exclaimed in a voice that was both strong and refined.  His eyes met hers and stared deeply for a moment before he glanced down but only to find her hand to raise to his lips for a soft kiss.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(163, 143, 132)">"Ivan Rostoff, at your service Miss."</span>He said with a slight bow as his eyes returned to hers.  He had emerged from several rather expensively dressed women who had seemed to be admiring him before he ignored them to talk with Ixana.<br/><br/>Both seemed interested in being her protector, hard to say how they would feel about guarding a gnome.