A Conversation with Apana

From Day 42-45 – Leaving Northlake:
Apana is mid 60’s but still obviously reasonably fit, she has a large disfiguring scar on the left side of her face and is missing one ear, plus you notice that she is missing two fingers on her left hand. She has obviously been expecting someone to contact her and so takes up Bazin and Umar's offer of lunch immediately. Thankfully, she does not have such expensive tastes as Olg, although even then Umar and Bazin cannot help but notice just how much drink she is able to put away over what is quite a brief lunch.
Apana: “So Gohde did get word to me that you were in town, I was kinda wondering when y’all would be in touch. He mentioned that ya may be needing assistance in getting up North, altho’ now that the convoys are runnin’ again there is no real problem with that.”
Umar: “We were wondering if you could give us some advice about Far Haven, and possibly letters of introduction into the Temple?”
Apana: “Letter of introduction are no problem; I will get something together this afternoon. Far Haven itself, well it’s more’n 10 years since I was up there last so I supec’ things will have changed somewhat. It’s a lot rougher than here, that’s for cert’n, you’ve gotten the Giants – all proud of their city like but really wanting to be out’n’about – their history is nomadic you know? Then th’humans up there, all stuck up and full of themselves as bein’ the ancestors of all humanity on the island – least ways that’s what they claim – kinda surprised that the Gemihadist hasn’t got a foothold there. Add in small enclaves of nearly evry other race you c’n think of and the nomadic tribes just outside and well….. lets just say there is a lot of energy shall we?”
Even with their resistance to alcohol, Umar and Bazin find themselves getting somewhat under the affluence of incohol as the lunch progresses, and conversation meanders around quite a bit. Apana is full of anecdotes from the old days, plus snippets of information that may be useful….
Apana: “Gohde eh! Well he always showed a lot of potential, and I suspect will – if he doesn’ cock things up – end up in command of the Pathfinders. Although he did sometimes have a bit too much imagination fr’ my liking -wuz right ‘bout the Elves tho’”
Apana: “First Swords…… well obviously it is a great honour to take up that post, Shanah himself determines how the winner will be determin’d. You’ve got Bez Drock hims’, the only Sword I can remember to step down of his own accord before his term was up – really nice guy but far too intense – I heard rumour he is out West of Far Haven. Then Beldame took the post up for a couple of terms, personally never really liked her – too sneaky for my taste. Warskull took over from her…. I remember that well, its how I got these souvenirs – indicates her missing fingers and facial damage – thought I had a decent chance; Anyhow Warskull lost his arm, ‘bout 10-12 years back I think and Beldame took the post up again…. Who knows where the bitch is now.”
Apana: “Warskull is as straight as a lance, if’n you play fair with him he will play fair with you. I get the feeling that he is not really comfortable in post up there, what with the Wyldwood affair’n’all but he does his duty.”
Apana: “The Wyldwood affair y’say, well I guess’n its common knowledge that for some reas’n or other Bez decided to trash their temple in Far Haven. He always was efficient, cleared it out and killed everyone there….. then a week later announces he is standing down as First Sword because he had failed in his mission. Kinda curious I guess, but’n I never have got to the bottom of what he meant by that.”
Apana: “You heading North in the next day or so I gather, probly a good thing actually. City authorities are going to be mighty sensitive over the next few weeks, an’I suspect that there will be a move to make sure no troublemakers are around – real or imaginary – if you get my meaning. Adamas is a really good ruler, but he is also a realist – an’ this Elven visit is gonna be tricky.”