"I was expecting something a bit more… efficient," the man said, clumsily hopping from one stone to another.
Peter grinned, "This part of the world isn't very compatible with a white-collared businessman."
The man grunted, making the final leap to the other side of the stream. Rain was streaking down his face and suit, shoes muddy from the marshy ground. It was immediately apparent that he was not used to this kind of weather. Peter almost felt sorry for him.
He brushed himself off and looked back up at Peter who stood under the shelter of a nearby oak tree. He shuffled his jacket and looked at Peter with an unavoidable stare. "If you're interested in this job, you may want to change your state of mind."
"Why would I be interested?" Peter spread his arms, gesturing to the log house and open mineshaft a few blocks behind him. "I'm the greatest miner in this part of the realm. I already refused your bloody invitation. It was vague and didn't tell me any details of the operation."
"I'm afraid secrecy is of paramount concern in tasks like this."
Interesting, he thought, leaning on his pickaxe. "What kind of job is this anyway Mister… err…"
"Bartley," he said courtly. "Mr Bartley."
"How formal."
Bartley ignored the slight, "We need you to assemble a small team to explore a new-found continent. You'll be fully funded of course and-"
"Stop right there Bartley," Peter stood up straight, now holding his pickaxe in both hands. "What are you willing to offer me, a man with an abundant supply of gold, that I would be interested in. In order to go on this mission?"
Mr Bartley smiled and produced a sodden piece of parchment from his pocket. "The boss assumed you were going to say something like that. He told me to let you know he's willing to supply you with a… diamond pickaxe."
A diamond pickaxe, now that's something I haven't had in a while. He allowed Bartley shelter and hospitality in his hut. It was a spacious house, though nothing particularly impressive. He had several large houses throughout Minecraftia, nearly all of which he built himself. It was here Bartley showed him the pickaxe.
"Diamond, see. And enchanted too: Silk-touch, Efficiency IV, Unbreaking II and Fortune III. It cost a fortune to obtain all of that lapis," he said, as Peter examined the blade. "And we had to pay a hefty price to bribe that soldier for his Exp."
"And this, right here, could be mine?" Bartley nodded. "So where in the world are we departing from?"
Bartley stiffened a little, "Jeb's Bay, South of Notaigton."
"Notaigton? Notch have mercy, that's nearly-"
"I know. It is a long journey, but I'm sure the rail system will have us there in less than a day."
Peter agreed though he didn't like the idea of travelling all that way just to have a meeting with Director Fisher – a man he neither knew nor respected. Bartley seemed to notice his grievances.
"I understand it is a long way and you don't particularly like my boss," he said, quite earnestly. "But just think, you'll have this pickaxe and all the glory that comes with it. If everything goes to plan, you may be a hero."
Peter looked at him, confused, "What do you mean a hero? What kind of task is this?"
Bartley shook his head, "You will find out in good time. That's not for me to explain. All I can tell you is that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and once the job is done all the glory will be yours."
Peter paused, thinking it all through in his head. How much of a risk can this all really be? I have everything to gain in this. He examined the pickaxe carefully, in all its shining beauty. It would be near impossible for him to obtain something of this value by himself. He looked back up at Bartley who was still staring at him, unmoving.
"I accept."