Last Destiny Volume 2 Chapter 11

Lydia reveals to Gayle that something is happening in his home and suggests they face their conflicts together. They arrive at Lydia's home to find her family's farm in ruins. Lydia's brother, Dougal, is surprised to see her and embraces her tightly. When Dougal sees Wheatland, he becomes hostile and demands to know who he is. Lydia defends Wheatland and reveals he saved her. Dougal explains that their mother's mind is gone and she is in a ward. Lydia is devastated and Dougal offers to pay for her foster care. Lydia suggests that Wheatland can take care of her instead. Dougal is unsure, but Wheatland assures them they will be fine. They decide to visit their mother in the ward and see her in a deteriorated state. Whelan decides to take Lydia away from the painful situation, and they board a ship to start a new journey. Chapter 11, Gayle. Lydia calmly says, I know something happening in your home, too. After I face my conflict, as you put it, we'll go to Suzy to face your conflict together. She looks up to him and smiles, but he doesn't react. Gayle is full of fields and farming. This is the homeland of Brownies. Nowhere else do they live in more abundance. They are known for white magic, agriculture, and a highly skilled army. Lydia's family had a rather large farm, which died when the father passed. The mother no longer could keep it up. They lost a lot of revenue, which came in from that. As they reach her home, it is noticeable the vast crops are dead. When they come to, Wheatland sits out front in their yard, while a frightened Lydia slowly walks to knock on the door. She knocks so softly at first, she barely can hear it. When she realizes she is home, she knocks wildly. Eventually the door opens and a tall male Brownie dressed in soldier wear opens it. He favors Lydia. When he sees her, his expression is panic, and it quickly alters as it braces as if he is about to cry. Lydia is stunned as the Brownie, who is her brother Dougal, says, Lydia, John? And reaches out and embraces her so tightly she barely can breathe. She is so confused she doesn't embrace back, but she does start to cry. Dougal momentarily looks up from his sister's shoulder and notices Wheatland sitting in the grass. He wipes away his tears and looks at his sister menacingly. Dougal says, who is that? pointing toward an unsuspecting Wheatland. Lydia says, huh? What do you mean? As she looks up to her brother confused, but Dougal reaches for his sword and sheath. He moves his sister out of the way and marches over to Wheatland. He does not draw his sword. He stops short of Wheatland. Lydia runs over from the house, but Dougal refuses to acknowledge her as he goes. Dougal harshly says, who are you? Why are you here in the yard of my family's property? And do not tell me you was with my baby sister. Dougal's eyes are jaded. Wheatland rises up and he says, Wheatland, a traveler who found your sister after she had been kidnapped. Lydia has been with me ever since. Lydia tearful says, he saved me. You can't treat him so. Why are you trying to protect me? You hate me. You hate us all, Dougal. Dougal turns to her and says, why would I hate you when you're the only little sister I got? I'm only here at home waiting on you to come back. Lydia's eyes go beaded. She says, but ma, she could have. Dougal tearful says, not so. When you disappeared, she gave up what was left. Lydia says, gave up what was left. Lydia is speechless as she grasps his words. Her eyes are so wide and lost. Dougal can tell she understands and nods his head. He says, her mind is gone. She's in a ward. I visit, but she don't know who I, you, or father was or is anymore. Eunice said I could deliver you the news when you come one day. Lydia looks up in the sky for a while and still looking she says, I'm back so now what? You're gonna raise me? Dougal says, no. We both know that is impossible. I'm a soldier like daddy, just that I was meant to be. I figured I'd pay for your foster care until I get up and running. Lydia puts her face in her hands and begins to cry. Lydia says, isn't right. My family all gone. Dougal says, don't say that. As he goes over to embrace her, Dougal continues, we can go see ma and a little just you and I, okay? Lydia just shakes her head. Lydia after a long moment of quietness says, may I have, I don't have to go to no orphanage. Dougal says, how so? As he pulls away from her and looks her in the eyes. Lydia says, Whelan, he can look after me as he did before. Dougal looks over toward him. Dougal says, a stranger? Lydia says, he is no stranger. He is a warrior. He looked after me, fed me and so forth. Dougal says, but you can't expect that to equal any more than helping someone in need. You'd slow him down. Lydia says, I'd be just fine with him. Dougal stares awkwardly at Whelan then says, you will be just fine with her weighing you down? Whelan pauses then says, yes we will be fine. Once you are in rank, I bring her. Lydia brightens up. Dougal says, who are you again and where are you from? Whelan says, Whelan, a traveler from Sizi. I travel the world. Dougal says, you can support her? Whelan says, yes and myself no problem. We can visit you, just make time for her. Whelan realized the child was going to be worse off than when he found her because he can tell her brother is chasing his dreams and no longer has room for her. He could perish in some far country, never see her again. Her mother is mentally gone and orphanages at present are known for abuse and rape. Dougal takes them to visit Miss Anne in the ward, that's her mother. She very much favors Lydia but she has aged so drastically one wouldn't know she was her mother. All her hair upon her head has turned gray besides her secondary color. She is so still when they see her, no word even leaves her mouth. The iris of her eyes is spaced out as if no one inside. Lydia has to be pulled from her as she never in her life thought she'd see something so. Afterward, Whelan decides to take Lydia some ways from here to get her mind off things. In the docks of High, they board a ship and sail off to the first place it takes them.