Some time later the pair sat in the corner of the Broken Flute, Stablestown only legitimate brothel and general tavern. Where one could get anything from a comfy bed to sleep in too some company for that bed.
Clayton and Mordred sat at a round table with a metal tumbler each, the contents of which was supposed to be whiskey but Clayton had tasted better rain water. They huddled over the small candle that illuminated their small private area.
The Broken Flute was packed as usual the clients ranged from the regular workers of Stablestowns to the travelers who were simply passing through. The girls and boys went from table to table making sure all their clients were happy and cared to their needs. It wasn't simply men who frequented the Broken Flute for its comfort service. Groups of women were involved in the frivolities as young handsome men catered to their tables.
A small band of flutes, fiddles and drums, sat on the small stage opposite the bar, and were singing old folk songs, whose lyrics could be described at best interesting. The bar was cocooned in crimson fabrics that reflected the light from the roaring fire in the centre in a comforting yet mysterious way.
"So Rey has called a nest meeting then?" Clayton asked his friend. "Where?"
A young girl giggled as a patron chased after her past their table.
"It would seem so, we're to meet him at the Palace...big job apparently" Mordred replied looking across the tavern his eye clearly catching something
"The Palace! who else has been called? Al? Needle? Clayton asked curiously
"All of us" Mordred replied returning his gaze back to his friend.
"The whole team for one job at the Palace? This must be a massive job" He paused smiling and looked out into the tavern then a look of puzzlement crossed his face. "Wait wait wait...we're not being payed to help the Brotherhood?"
"No idea, I guess it must be if it's the Palace perhaps the King wants to see us" Mordred laughed.
"Now wouldn't that be something the Tunnel Rats meeting royalty...you better dig out your best frock." Clayton slapped his friend on the shoulder in a friendly way as if emphasizing his point.
"You might want to consider a shower if that's the case." Mordred replied his wit even faster than that of Clayton's
The happy pair laughed and finished what was left of their whiskeys.
"Another drink?" Mordred asked standing up
"One more then I'm not rushing till Caesar has got that power armor, that I told you about earlier."
"Fair enough we've two days till we need to be at the palace any way, should make it easily with the tunnels."
Clayton smiled at his friend, then Mordred turned and walked to the bar. Clayton looked around the bar and listened to the music he thought of the journey ahead and what perhaps would be waiting for them at the palace. He was curious what could the palace want with them? Would it have anything to do with the dead palace guard he found? He pulled out the holotags from one of the pouches on his belt and dangled them of the end of one of his fingers thinking ahead.
"Evening stranger" a high pitched voiced said.
He looked up into the eyes of a young blonde woman. What little cleavage she had was on display between a white v-neck shirt complimenting a small red tartan style skirt with suspenders and white stockings. There was no doubt of her profession. He eyed her up and down.
"Good evening miss." he said smiling
"fancy a little company?" she leaned over and placed her tray on the table.
"I'm with a friend at the moment I'm afraid" he smiled, not disgusted by her but simply not in the mood at the present.
"Awww, well I'm sure I could share my time between you." she said seductively
Clayton let out a small laugh, "I'm afraid as tempting as that sounded your barking up the wrong tree for my friend at the bar over there."
"Well that's a shame, be nice to spend some time with someone who doesn't have dirt under their fingernails and last longer than a minute." she replied clearly disappointed
"If you come back in around half an hour I'll prove one of those things right...I do try to keep my fingernails clean though." he replied grinning,
She didn't reply but simply pouted sexily and then walk away with her tray.
Mordred returned soon after the girl and placed a tankard of ale down in front of him.
"Whiskey was terrible, I'm sure you'll agree."
"Definitely" Clayton replied and they clanked their drinks together and took a big gulp each from the frothy mixture.
"You're still rattling around with that old service revolver I saw." Mordred said taking another sip from the ale.
They'd had to leave their guns in storage at the door. There were no weapons at allowed in the Broken Flute and the guard bots on the door saw to that. A large destructotron loomed next to the door and peered into the Broken Flute with unmoving eyes. It's face, or closest thing it had to a face, was locked into a permanent grimace. It didn't have any hands despite it's mainly humanoid form simply to arms that ended in gatling guns.
Next to it sat an ancient protectron, guarding the small man at the armory where everyone had to leave their weapons. The destructotron's scanning abilities made sure no one got a weapon in. The locals had affectionately named the robots Tom and Jerry.
"Yeah served me well so far but just on the look out for something to replace it. Should remedy that soon though." Clayton explained
" 'bout time watching you lug around that useless gun broke my heart so it did." Mordred said feigning sadness.
"You know what that sarcasm...it's a prime reason why no one likes you..." Clayton said gulping some more ale.
"Fuck me and I thought everyone loved my charm and wit." Mordred said crassly
"Well no they don't"
"You know what I've had enough of you Clayton and your crappy taste in guns I'm off to get a quickie and a bed for the night." Mordred said finishing his ale and standing up.
"We can't all afford guns like your revolvers!" Clayton jibbed after his friend as he disappeared into the throng of the patrons.
Clayton leaned back in his seat still laughing, he raised his tankard up to his lips and then heard a familiar voice.
"Your friend didn't stick around long then."
He span round and saw the blonde girl again with her tray resting against her hip making a fake sad face.
"No he's a bit difficult to pin down."
"Ya got some time to spare then handsome?" she asked slyly.
He patted his lap indicating that she should sit there. Smiling she did as she was bid, as she sat down he looked across the bar to see Mordred in deep conversation with a young good looking man.
"What's your name?" he asked
"Amber" she replied
"Well Amber I have all the time in the world for you."