The Lich's Master

Chapter 7: Jewels of the Orchard

“I hope the bridge wasn’t too important.” Kyle added apologetically. “I didn’t really have any other choice.”

The elven leader shook his head. “It was of no consequence.” He said with a sigh. “Despite being human, you have proven your…” he hesitated, as if he were searching for a proper word.

“My use?” Kyle suggested with a grin and was rewarded with a surprised expression. “Look, that same knight had been harassing me for a while too, so it was actually fun to have a little bit of revenge, you know?” he shrugged. “And I got to help you guys too.” He gestured towards the sickly tree. “I would love to help out with that too, but I’m no mage, nor do I know anyone who could be of help.”

The elf’s lips curled up with a smile. “It’s quite alright. You have delivered on your promise, and we will not do any less than that. You may have as many fruits as you wish, but do not attempt to take any from this tree. They will only bring harm, as they have been corrupted by the venom of the locust god.”

Kyle raised his eyebrows. “The Locust god?” He muttered. “Why?”

The elf shook his head. “A simple refusal by our high priestess, and now our lands suffer. The tree survived on the waters of the wellspring high up on the mountains,” He gestured towards the snowy mountains in the distance. “But humans have cut the waters off. It is very easy to fall into the trap of believing they serve the Locust god.”

Kyle scowled. That didn’t sound right, why would the players cut off the water? And how? As far as he knew, such changes couldn’t be done in the game world. He felt annoyed, why hadn’t the developers but a changelog into the game itself as well? He had no way of knowing how the world he was trapped in would change.

“I see.” Kyle muttered. A thought occurred. “Can I have one of the fruits?” he asked. “I told you, I have a scholar friend who needs these fruits. Perhaps he could come up with a cure, or at least a way to lessen the effects of the venom.”

‘Special Quest Located!’

The system’s message startled him. He glanced at it with the corner of his eye.

‘Find a way to heal the Crystal Orchard to gain the elves’ allegiance’

‘Note: Only one player may complete this quest.’

Kyle’s eyes widened. Gain their allegiance? Was that possible? Could he actually have elves helping him? He could hardly believe it, but then again, he did have a lich under his command already. Well, sort of, he thought. Cacophus didn’t quite seem like someone to remain under others’ command for long.

“I doubt it,” The elven leader said with a sigh, but he reached out and plucked a fruit from the tree, nevertheless. A few drops of white goo oozed from the plucked crystal fruit, and from the branch as well. Kyle’s expression soured as a foul smell reached his nostrils. He grimaced, along with the other elves.

“take care not to break it. It’s full of this…” The elven leader hesitated. “This bile.” Even speaking of it seemed to pain him somewhat.

Kyle carefully took the fruit and placed it in his inventory. “I will take good care of it, and I will have my friend working on a cure.”

The elven leader seemed hesitant a little. “Why would you go that far?” He asked with some distrust in his voice. Kyle shrugged. “Why not? A tree is dying, and you people are suffering. If I can help, I want to.” He grinned. “Besides, I’d like to be able to consider your people friends, not enemies.”

The elven leader’s lips curled up with a smile. “Seems like I misjudged you severely.” He said with a soft chuckle. “Alright, human. Go and get your fruits and come back when you find a cure. We will be delighted to have you.”

Three hundred crystal fruits couldn’t fit in his inventory, of course, so Kyle had to employ the help of the three skeletons the Lich Cacophus hand sent with him. He wouldn’t mind it too much had the skeletons’ bones not been creaking so damn much. They almost sounded like rusty door hinges.

Once they were all loaded up with all three hundred fruits, they headed back. The sun had begun to set by the time Cacophus’ cave entered Kyle’s view.

He spied half a dozen skeletons collecting pieces of wood and dry leaves outside. He scowled, what was that lich planning? Was it a trap? Did he want to trap and kill Kyle before he got a chance to smash the phylactery?

He bit his lips as they walked into the cave.

The previously dark cave was now lit with torches hooked onto the cave walls or stuck in between the cracks in the ground. Kyle took care not to burn himself as he followed the three skeletons carrying the fruits.

Their wobbly steps made him anxious. If even one of them fell, those precious fruits would shatter and break.

He only breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the doors leading to Cacophus’ room, and the three skeletons placed the baskets on the floor and wobbled away harmlessly.

“THANK YOU!” The Lich exclaimed, nearly shouting Kyle’s ears off again.

“Lower your voice dammit!” Kyle scolded the Lich.

“OH, SORRY.” The Lich’s voice lowered just enough, and Kyle sighed a breath of relief. He really wished the lich wouldn’t constantly forget this though.

“I WILL GET TO WORK NOW.” The Lich stated as he floated down from his throne of human bones, and approached the three baskets of crystal fruits.

“Actually,” Kyle interrupted him. “I’ve got a favour to ask.” He took out the larger crystal fruit from his inventory. The faint, sickly glow of the fruit shone as he raised it before the Cacophus’ eyes. “The large tree at the centre of the orchard is sick. The Locust God’s venom, or so the elves said. Can you find a way to cure it?”