Gallipot Grenda

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *THE ARCHER'S CUP* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

**M****atron Gallipot Grenda** is a doe of Blackstone Citadel and the matron of its hospital.

## Biography

### Early life

Gallipot Grenda worked at Blackstone Hospital under Matron Breelia Wilder, by whom she was treated cruelly. When tensions arose between Matron Wilder's faction, Lokson's army, and Ronan's supporters, Grenda expressed loyalty both to Lord Ronan and Lokson. In the midst of these troubling times and especially during Bane Graveheart's campaign of terror, Grenda was forced to carry out duties she would not normally have to fulfill, nor wish to, for the sake of preserving her citadel. This included rushing to intercept the arrival of Emma Joveson and her company before they were cornered by Captain Truff.

### *The Archer's Cup*

Gallipot Grenda greets Emma Joveson, Jo Shanks, and Cole and Heyna Blackstar when they arrive at Blackstone Citadel to try and win the citadel's support for the Cause. She informs the group that Lord Ronan is unwell and that there have been many troubles at Blackstone of late. She is about to tell Emma more, when Captain Truff bursts in on them in a fit of rage and orders Grenda to leave. She does so, albeit reluctantly.

Later, when Emma and her entourage visit Blackstone's hospital on a supposed summons from Ronan, they are met once more by a distressed Grenda, who urges them to leave. Emma tries to calm Grenda, but the older doe is in a frenzy and begs Emma not to trust "her." Just then, Breelia Wilder, the hospital matron, enters and orders her guards to take Grenda away. Emma protests, but Grenda assures her that she will be all right.

Emma, Jo, and the Blackstars reconvene in the mess hall after Matron Wilder is arrested on suspicion of being Bane Graveheart, the figure behind the trouble at Blackstone. Jo sees Grenda enter the mess hall and inquires after her wellbeing, to which Grenda responds positively. She expresses joy for the future of Blackstone Hospital now that Matron Wilder is no longer in charge, though she admits that Wilder's followers will likely not take lightly to the change. While Grenda is speaking, Jo notes the similarity of her appearance to that of Wilder's. Grenda tells Jo that she must leave to deliberate with a friend in secret, and after he wishes her luck, she departs from him.

Later, in Blackstone commmon, Jo thinks he sees Grenda leaving Smoot's apothecary shop with a purchase, then moving on to a scrivener's shop. Jo looks on as the gray doe whispers to a patron, slipping him what looks like a pouch of money in exchange for what appears to be a letter. She then hurries off, much to Jo's vague confusion.

On the morning of the Ultimate Archer's Cup, Grenda eats breakfast with Emma and her company. Jo inquires after the progress being made in the hospital. Grenda responds that progress is being made despite the challenges facing them, and in response to Jo's next question, asserts that while she doesn't know whether Matron Wilder is Bane Graveheart, she believes that the citadel will be better off without her. Grenda then tells Jo, much to his embarassment, that she has heard of his relentless pursuit of Amber Hewson, who is already engaged to Lokson. Grenda urges Jo to respect Amber's choices, reminding him that loving someone is different than aiming for a target.

A bit later, Grenda spectates as the Ultimate Archer's Cup unfolds. In the intermission between the second and third rounds of the tournament, Grenda, Emma, and the Blackstars join Jo and Amber only to learn of a new threat from Bane Graveheart. Emma votes to take Heyna and Amber to Lord Ronan's quarters, but she instructs Grenda and Cole to keep Jo on task. On their way to the mess hall, Buster Harvey compliments Grenda's beauty, and Grenda says jokingly that the compliment will have to make up for when she was confused for Matron Wilder earlier. Cole comments gallantly that Grenda looks like Lord Ronan's lovely wife, Elisabeth. All of this sends Jo's mind whirling, and he pieces the puzzle of Bane Graveheart together to realize who he is. In a frenzy, Jo orders Grenda to collect any reviving antidotes and bring them to the Lord's Quadrant, then hurries away.

In the Lord's Quadrant, Jo finds and subdues the cook Slimmo just as he is about to kill Ronan and leave with Elisabeth. Grenda arrives on the scene and begins to move the rabbits Slimmo has drugged to the hospital. Lokson bursts in and kneels next to the drugged Amber. In response to Grenda's inquiry, he admits that he forfeited his place in the Ultimate Archer's Cup and has certainly lost, although Grenda smilingly notes that perhaps not everything is lost.

The next day, Grenda is appointed the new matron of Blackstone Hospital as well as a Keymaster.

## Physical appearance

Gallipot Grenda is a middle-aged doe with gray fur. She wears a hospital uniform signifying her position as a member of the staff of Blackstone Hospital. She is noted to bear a resemblance both to Breelia Wilder and Elisabeth.

## Personality and traits

**Gallipot Grenda**: You may, indeed, Buster Harvey.

—*The Archer's Cup*, pg. 240 |  | ”

Grenda tends to speak softly, displaying reverence when addressing royalty. She cares deeply for those she loves, and is not unwilling to speak her mind, even to those she has only known for a short time. However, she is not without a sense of humor and has a quick wit, as seen when she exchanged a brief bit of banter with Buster Harvey.

## Relationships

### Breelia Wilder

Grenda was treated cruelly by Breelia Wilder for years, and as such, she had little respect for the older doe. Grenda was relieved when Wilder was relieved of her position as hospital matron and expressed hope for a brighter future for the hospital in Wilder's absence. Even after Wilder fled Blackstone Citadel for good, Grenda was prone to letting unkind remarks about her slip, as seen when she essentially asserted to Jo Shanks and Coleden Blackstar that she hoped she looked nothing like Wilder. She immediately felt regret after saying things of this sort, however, and resolved to speak of Wilder with kindness despite the latter's absence and their tumultuous history.

### Amber Hewson

Grenda described herself as being "very close" to Amber Hewson, caring greatly for the younger doe's wellbeing. When Grenda heard that Jo Shanks was pursuing Amber against the younger doe's wishes, Grenda reprimanded Jo for his inconsiderateness concerning Amber's feelings and advised him to treat her love with more veneration.

### Jo Shanks

Grenda first met Jo Shanks when he arrived to Blackstone Citadel as part of Emma's entourage. She was later reunited with him in Blackstone Hospital, when she urged him and the group to leave before Matron Wilder arrived. As Grenda was dragged away by Wilder's followers, Jo started to leap to protect her, but was prevented from doing so by Emma. Later, Jo expressed relief at seeing Grenda safe, and she expressed gratitude for his goodness, asserting that such nobility would be needed to help the coming of the Mended Wood.

However, though Grenda admires and cares for Jo, she is not above telling him when she disapproves of his actions. On the morning of the Ultimate Archer's Cup, Grenda confronted Jo, admitting that she had heard of his pursuit of Amber Hewson, who was already engaged to Lokson. Jo asked for Grenda's advice, and she gave it, asserting that Amber should be allowed to choose her own lover and that Jo was doing more harm than help by repeatedly ignoring her wishes.

Grenda also expressed concern for Jo when he went into a frenzy after realizing the identity of Bane Graveheart. However, she gathered her wits about her enough to carry out what Jo asked of her, showing a respect for his authority.

## Trivia

* The word "gallipot" is of Middle English origin and refers to "a small usually ceramic vessel" or a "druggist".

## References

1. ↑ *The Archer's Cup*, pg.209
2. ↑ [1]