There were other beasts whose pasts intruded upon their present journeys with little or no affect. Yagun Skaar had been left to die in the desert only to be saved by the Scarlet Brotherhood. The course of his life had changed and whether out of gratitude or desperation, he had dedicated his life to the service of the leader of the monks who had saved him, Azmeritus.

For the majority of his life he had been a loyal and constant acolyte to the misguided holy man whose purpose had been the annihilation of the world. When this was lost to him he felt betrayed and pointless, a life wasted. Then, as though the gods had had heard his existential despair, he found himself dying once more and once more saved by a fellow lost soul.

The beast who saved him was named Deeb Shatus, the last of the Minge...the last of the cursed Deev. Yet he was now neither. He had died and been resurrected by Azmeritus and in that process been cleansed of all experience and memory.

A blank slate without bitterness or regret he was reborn into a world that was new to him. His mind was open to the world and in that world he heard voices that no one else did. They called to him like sirens and he was determined to follow them.

When he saved Skaar, he did so without ulterior motive and he had expected no reward or thanks. To Skaar, however, it was a sign from the heavens and as he had with Azmeritus, he determined to follow and protect the odd mink as penance for a misguided life.

Deeb did not try to dissuade the rough looking human from being his companion and protector and his voices did not object.
When Deeb Shatus told Skaar of the beckoning voices, the former bishop simply nodded and together they constructed a vessel built of local woods with which to follow the siren's call across the seas. It was a surprisingly fine craft. Twenty feet long, six feet wide and steadied by two long outriggers constructed out of a light balsa-like wood, the boat was propelled by a single lateen sail and aided in its propulsion when necessary by oars.

They had been traveling the islands of the Northern seas for more than a year. It was discovered that Deeb had a true talent as a healer and the pair had survived by accepting food and favors in exchange for this newly discovered skill.

When beasts were in need, but without anything of value to trade, a heartfelt thank you was enough payment. Yagun found himself gratified at aiding the ill and the destitute and this new found selflessness cheered him greatly. As a beast who had seen great violence in his life, bringing comfort seemed somehow correct. As for Deeb, he simply followed wherever his heart and his voices guided him. He seemed to hav no great plan and showed no impatience at discovering the source of his inner dialog. He simply assumed that at some point all would be revealed. This simple yet profound faith reassured Skaar, who had seen enough intrigue to last a dozen lives. Their small craft had been named the Sojourner and served them well in the clear warm waters of the Borogovian Isles and beyond.

The warm dawn found the Sojourner sailing lazily eastward on a placid ocean. Deeb sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat while Skaar leaned comfortably at the rear of the vessel manning the rudder. The pair had just left one of the smaller islands where Deeb Shatus had successfully eradicated an outbreak of sand-flea fever. As a result of this mission of mercy, the Sojourner was fully laden with a variety of foods and beverages which were gratefully accepted as payment for the task.
Yagun smiled peacefully, enjoying the day. He looked up toward his companion and called out.
"Friend Deeb, which way shall I head?"

Deeb turned his head to face Skaar.
"It doesn't really matter, does it? It's a beautiful day on a magnificent sea. Let's let the wind decide."

Skaar released the rudder and moved to the front of the boat to sit next to Deeb.

"The wind is now our navigator. All we need to do is make sure the wind doesn't abuse our sail too much," he checked a homemade compass he wore on his belt, "it looks like we'll be going east by northeast. That's away from the Borogoves. I'm not certain what lies that way."

Deeb smiled.
"Does it matter?"

Skaar returned the smile.
"Not in the least, friend Deeb, not in the least."

It did not take the calm seas and warm breezes long to put the two companions to sleep. They snored contentedly on the drifting boat for several hours. Suddenly Deeb came awake and look around anxiously. On the horizon he saw a distant speck and heard muffled cries of distress.

He shook Skaar into wakefulness.

"What's wrong?" the groggy human asked.

Deeb pointed to the distant speck.
"There!"

Yagun followed his gaze and saw what Deeb was pointing at. He returned to the rudder and directed their craft in the direction of the anomaly.

It wasn't long before the pair could make out a beast clinging to an empty barrel, waving frantically. They pulled the Sojourner next to the water-logged mariner and helped him onboard.

He was a fierce-looking young wolverine, barely conscious, eyes only half open. The beast looked up at Yagun and began to struggle violently, lashing out with his claws and inflicting several painful slashes across Skaar's chest.

Deeb jumped in to restrain him and shouted in the beast's face.
"You are safe! We are friends!"

The wolverine ceased his struggles and a look of confusion filled his face as he protested.
"But he is Human! An Aesirian!"

Skaar was angry, but remained calm as he answered.
"I am human, but I don't know what an Aesirian is."

"He is my friend and I can vouch for him." Deeb added.

The beast calmed.
"You are not from these waters?"

"No, we come from the south," Deeb answered gently, "what is your name?"

The wolverine sat up.
"I am Gaber Graekwar, son of Fingal Graekwar, chief of the clan council of Lyonisia. My boat sank for no reason...it just fell apart."

Yagun grinned.
"Where did you get this boat?"

Gaber looked at Yagun suspiciously, but didn't answer.

Deeb spoke.
"I am Deeb and this is Yagun. Trust us, we mean you no harm. Please answer my friend's
question."

"It was given to me by my uncle."

"Does he have any reason to want you dead?"
Skaar asked.

A shocked look crossed Gaber's face.
"No...you can't be suggesting...that can't be true!"

"It is an easy matter to seal a boat with a mixture that can take days to dissolve...insuring the boat doesn't fall apart until you are well out to sea. I'll ask again, does this uncle have any reason to want you dead...what does he gain by it?"

Gaber thought before answering.
"Nothing really. My father is healthy and it will be many years before I take over leadership. I have no official position within the clan or true power."

It was Skaar's turn to reflect on the facts.
"If you were to die and something happened to your father, who would take over your clan?"

"Oh, dear god!" Gaber cried out, "Vulmer means to kill my father!" He looked desperately to Deeb, " You must take me home before he murders my father...please, you must!"

Deeb didn't hesitate.
"Lyonisia is as good a destination as any and I've never seen it. What do you say Yagun?"

Skaar allowed himself a rare smile.
"Not a great criteria. You don't have any memories so you really can't remember seeing most places. On the other hand, I haven't seen it either and as you say, it's as good a destination as any," he faced Gaber, "we'll take you to try and save your father."

"Thank you, huma...Yagun. I shall see you are treated well and will insure your safety among my tribes."

Gaber sat silent for a while staring at Skaar. He asked a question that was bothering him. "How is it you knew immediately that my misfortune was part of a conspiracy?"

"I'll answer that for my friend," Deeb offered, "His life was spent in the service of politics, in which, if I understand correctly, every move and motion is conspiratorial, every motive ulterior. He was apparently very good at what he did, though he assures me he's happier now and I believe him."

"Where are you from, Skaar?" Gaber asked.

"I am from the Scythian desert."

"What is a desert?

"It is an ocean of sand and heat during the day and a sea of sand and cold at night."

"I think I prefer my wet ocean," the wolverine smiled.

"Speaking of your wet ocean," Skaar responded, "How do we get to this Lyonisia of yours?"

Graekwar pointed north towards the rising moon, now barely visible breaking the horizon.

"Sail towards the moon and when you sight land, I will give you more direction so that we may pass into the inland sea. Avoid being sighted by any Aesirian vessels, it would not go well for Deeb or me, though you, Yagun, may be able to talk yourself self out of trouble. I will tell you of my country on the way. It will be at least a week till we sight Lyonisia."

Yagun took hold of the rudder and checked the sail.
"Onward toward the moon we sail."