[imported_mpfplush]

[COLOR="White"]Caleb halted for a moment outside the entrance to the Miners Guild headquarters. He had concerns that he did not appear respectable enough to present himself to the Guildmaster. He wore his finest leather boots, of course, and a clean doublet and trousers. He wondered for a moment if he should have appropriated a hat, perhaps with a feather, as they seemed to be the recent trend. It probably wouldn't matter, he reasoned. He patted his hair into place, and pushed open the door to the headquarters. With a deep breath of air, he stepped inside.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Time passes. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Caleb sat upon a fine chair in the waiting room, his backpack at his feet beside him. A rather matronly woman occupied the desk at the centre of the room, scribbing on a neatly organised parchments, but otherwise silent. Occasionally she would smile patiently at Caleb, but no words had been exchanged. Almost an hour had passed, and still no word from the Guildmaster. Calebs trepidation mounted. "The Guildmaster certainly seems to be in no hurry to see me," thought Caleb.

At last, as Caleb had started to nod off in the chair, a door opened at the back of the room. Out stepped the Guildmaster, who conferred quietly with the woman at the desk for a moment, then crossed the room to stand before Caleb. He stuck out a plump hand, and Caleb stood quickly to return the shake. [/COLOR]

"Ah, master Caleb. I apologise most sincerely for the delay. I am Gideon, the Guildmaster of the Mining Cooperative here in Minoc. Follow me, please, and we shall have this business over shortly. Mary, would you bring some coffee for the young master?" [COLOR="White"]asked Gideon, as he motioned for Caleb to follow. Caleb quickly shouldered his backpack, and followed the heavyset man through the door into his office.

Caleb looked around. The office was neatly kept, and potted plants decorated the room, one in the corner, and one on the desk. There were bottles of ink and parchment, and a candle lit the area. There were other candelabras situated in the corners of the room, all polished brass, rather than expensive gold, and Caleb was impressed. A curtain was thrown back to admit sunlight into the room. [/COLOR]

"Please, have a seat, Caleb. Again, I apologise for keeping you waiting." The Guildmaster motioned for Caleb to sit in a chair at the desk, and crossed the room to stand before a lit fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back. "Now then, I trust your journey to Minoc was a pleasant one, master Caleb?" asked the Guildmaster pleasantly. Mary entered inobtrusively and placed a hot mug of coffee upon the desk for Caleb, who nodded his thanks, as she quietly withdrew.

"Indeed, sire. The winds were most favourable." responded Caleb, who sipped tentatively at the hot coffee, still feeling rather self-conscious. The Guildmaster smiled warmly at Caleb. "Good, good. I presume you have a letter of introduction?"

Caleb nodded and produced the letter of introduction that he had kept in the pocket of his doublet, and placed it gently upon the desk, with the red ribbon still intact. "I'm certain that all will be in order, so I shall forgo wasting precious time, Caleb. Let us get to the meat of the matter. Your father has purchased the right for you to prospect Mount Kendall and the Eastern Mines, including the surrounding foothills and streams, with a one tenth of profit to be surrendered to the Mining Cooperative monthly. The Mining Cooperative also has exclusive rights to purchase any metal you should happen to acquire before any other individual or organisation, should there be demand. Do you understand these conditions, master Caleb?"

Caleb stated that yes, he did understand the terms to his contract with the Mining Cooperative, and the Guildmaster seemed most pleased. "Splendid," continued the Guildmaster. "Now that you have been inducted into the Guild, The Mining Cooperative is able provide you with the tools you may require to prospect Mount Kendall at a discounted price. Mary, my secretary, will see that you are equipped on your way out. Welcome to the Mining Cooperative, master Caleb." [COLOR="White"]intoned the Guildmaster.

Caleb stood, sensing that the interview was over. He thanked the Guildmaster enthusiastically for both his time, and the excellent coffee, and parted with a vigorous handshake. As he stepped outside to purchase his tools, Caleb whistled a happy tune. He was now free to make his fortune.

~To be continued.~[/COLOR]