Sorry

Also known as Apsalar, the fishergirl, Salar

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1

Sorry is a major character in Malazan Book of the Fallen (Book 1).

Gender: female
Age: child
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 1
Books: 1

When first encountered, Apsalar is a bewildered young woman, barefoot and dressed in antelope skins, with little apparent grasp of the world around her. She has been touched by Cotillion, the Rope, and his memories and skills shape the person she becomes. As she travels with Crokus and later separates from him, she struggles to distinguish her own self from the influence within her, ultimately seeking a life and identity of her own.

Description

Apsalar has a small, round face, long dark hair, and heavy-lidded eyes that can open wide with a searching, bewildered look. She is slight and youthful in appearance, though the text offers no precise height or build. Her clothing is simple antelope skin secured at the waist with cord, and she goes barefoot. Her posture and movements have an unusual, composed familiarity that contrasts with her lost expression. A human girl around twelve to fifteen years old, young and pretty, with dark eyes described as ancient, dead, and like weathered onyx. Her face can be mud-streaked; she carries herself with cool steadiness and natural poise. In one appearance she wears a long, non-standard raincape with its hood raised. A young girl with thick black hair and bright, wide eyes. She wears sandals and carries a heavy basket on her head. After being attacked, she is covered in Rigga's blood and spit and sits in wet clothing.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

B
Borandaughter
The fishergirl is the daughter of a poor fisherman, whom the narrative calls Dadda; the known-character list identifies him as Boran. She depends on him and is expected home when she is taken.
Apsalarconflicting source relationships
Apsalar was previously known as Sorry. She has lost her memory and does not fully understand the connection between her present self and that former name.
Crokus Younghandconflicting source relationships
Crokus brings Apsalar toward Darujhistan and helps her choose a name while she struggles with lost memories. Their journey is marked by attraction, wariness, teasing, and growing concern for one another.
Fiddlercomrade
Fiddler chooses to accompany Apsalar back toward the Empire, saying he and Kalam feel they owe it to her.
Ganoes Stabro Paranconflicting source relationships
Apsalar recognizes Paran as an old friend, though she cannot remember who he is.
Kalamconflicting source relationships
Kalam joins Fiddler in accompanying Apsalar home, distinguishing the fishergirl she is now from the recruit the squad once knew.
Lornconflicting source relationships
Lorn's mission centers on Sorry, whose powers and weapon are considered a threat to the Empire. She sends Paran to watch and eliminate the recruit.
Quick Benconflicting source relationships
Quick Ben deliberately keeps Sorry away from the soul-shifting working. She senses his interference and accuses him of unkindness; he appears afraid of her.
T
Tattersailobserver
Tattersail is unsettled by the recruit's ancient-seeming eyes and strange presence. Sorry challenges the mages' actions and warns Whiskeyjack that Tayschrenn will notice them.
Whiskeyjackconflicting source relationships
Whiskeyjack recognizes Apsalar as the changed former recruit Sorry and accepts her wish to return home.
C
Collwould-be protector
Coll judges that Apsalar has been possessed and that the truth may be in her memory. He directs Crokus to take her to Mammot and seek help.
C
Cotillionconflicting source relationships
Cotillion possessed Apsalar and used her without her awareness. He says she has her life back, though the experience left her with recovered memories and skills.
M
Mallethealer
Mallet examines Apsalar and weighs whether to help the presence protecting her mind recover.
S
Shadowthroneconflicting source relationships
Shadowthrone regards the girl as a useful pawn in the gods' plot against Laseen and supports taking her from her former life.
SS
Staff Sergeant Araganrecruiter
Aragan processes the girl under the name Sorry into the Malazan Marines and records her request to join Dujek Onearm's host.
TP
the Princepossessing spirit
The chapter indicates that Apsalar has been possessed, and the Prince's warning to Serrat identifies him as the power behind the protection of the Coin Bearer and the girl.
M
Meeseprotector
Meese and Irilta offer to look out for Sorry at the Phoenix Inn; Meese warns her to be discreet and insists the inn's women will not betray her.
RT
Riggalai the Seerprophetic link
Rigga declares that she and the fishergirl are linked beyond all else and prophesies that a shadow will embrace the girl's soul. Rigga is killed before the girl is taken.