The Archer's Cup: Green Ember Archer Book 3

***Some say it fell from the stars, from the warrior's cluster.*
Whitson Mariner, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 165
This article is on a subject existing outside the universe of ***The Green Ember series***.**
- The Green Ember Wiki -
*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.**

## The Archer's Cup: Green Ember Archer Book 3

The cover of The Archer's Cup, as illustrated by Zach Franzen and designed by Andrew Mackay.

## Attribution information

### Title

The Archer's Cup: Green Ember Archer Book 3

## Publication information

### Amazon rating

**5/5** (4 reviews, 100% of which are 5/5)

***T******he Archer's Cup: Green Ember Archer Book 3*** is the third installment in the Green Ember Archer series. It was written by S. D. Smith and illustrated by Zach Franzen. It was published by Story Warren, LLC on November 10, 2020.

The book is a sequel to *The First Fowler*, and takes place during the events of *Ember Rising*.

## Synopsis

"*A Green Ember Archer story set in the midst of the buildup to the last battles for Natalia.*

In this sequel to The Last Archer and The First Fowler, Jo Shanks is charged with aiding Emma on her mission to unite the secret citadels in their fight against the Preylord slavers. Alongside Cole and Heyna Blackstar, Jo and Emma must enter into the heart of a community in confusion.

Something is wrong at Blackstone Citadel. Can Jo and his friends solve the mystery and enlist Blackstone’s aid in time to rendezvous with their allies fighting for the Mended Wood?

A citadel on the edge. An insidious mystery to unravel.

Who will target the terror?"

## Plot summary

Jo Shanks, Cole, and Heyna are accompanying Emma Joveson to Blackstone Citadel to try and win the citadel's support of her reign. On the way, Jo and Cole discuss love and marriage, with Jo wondering if he should be looking for a partner in the midst of such urgency as the war. When they arrive at Blackstone, they light small, controlled fires to distract the citadel's perimeter guard, then approach the main gate. Although at first the two remaining guards are startled and disgruntled by the appearance of Emma's entourage, eventually they consent to let them enter, with the elder of the two leading them to a chamber, then leaving to alert Lord Ronan of their arrival.

It is not Ronan who enters the chamber, however, but an old doe named Gallipot Grenda, who warns Emma that Ronan is very ill and that Blackstone is on the verge of collapse thanks to a series of threatening letters. Next to come is an extremely agitated Captain Truff, who, having calmed himself, tells Emma that she is welcome to attend their post-breakfast council, then leaves. A younger officer than arrives to escort the group to their quarters. Emma lies down for a bit, while Jo and Heyna resolve to go eat. Their plans are interrupted, however, by the somewhat intimidating approachment of a pale red buck and his army. The red buck introduces himself as Lokson, the son of Lokken, Blackstone's lord before Ronan, whom Lokson is trying to usurp. Lokson claims that he has come to ensure that Emma is safe, and introduces Jo, Cole, and Heyna to his captain, Cheltham, a fellow archer to whom Jo takes an almost immediate dislike. Lokson invites the group to breakfast with him, then leaves after exchanging a few more pleasantries.

Jo and Heyna meet Lokson and his army in the mess hall, where Lokson introduces them to Slimmo, a tall, friendly chef who is liked at once by the two younger rabbits, Jo especially. After they eat, Slimmo invites Jo into his kitchen, where he serves him a mug of energizing blackroot tea and tells him about the history of the "forbidden" substance, including the place where it grows, Black Lake, which is off-limits to the rabbits of Blackstone. Slimmo is interrupted by Heyna, who calls on Jo to return to their quarters. Before they can leave, however, they are met by Cleeve Hapson, a messenger sent to inform Emma that her presence has been required by Ronan. As Heyna exits to fetch Emma, Cheltham informs Jo that Cleeve is in league with one of Blackstone's most forbidding forces, Matron Wilder's faction.

Emma, Jo, Cole, and Heyna follow Cleeve to Blackstone's hospital, where they are met by a frightened Grenda, the elderly doe from when they first arrived at the citadel. Grenda warns Emma not to trust "her," just as Matron Wilder enters the hospital with her guard. Matron Wilder has Grenda removed, then, asserting that she speaks for Ronan, leads Emma's entourage into an adjoining room. Wilder spars verbally with Emma, who is furious that the older doe won't let her attend to the ill Ronan. Just as things seem about to escalate, Wilder's captain Devert enters through a secret door and informs her that Ronan has called an immediate council. Wilder tells Emma that she may attend the council, then leaves through the secret door, leaving the princess and her company alone in the locked and sealed room.

A fire is lit from outside, and smoke begins to creep in from under the door. Jo hacks at the lock on the door with his sword, then rushes the door. It gives way, and all four rabbits burst out. Though singed and tired, they make it to the Lord's Quadrant and are admitted to the council, where Emma immediately demands to know the meaning behind the poor treatment they have received. Ronan apologizes for his citadel's conduct, claiming that he has only just learned of Emma's arrival. Jo quickly notices the presence of a beautiful doe scribe, Amber Hewson. During the council, Ronan tells them about Blackstone's keymasters: Matron Wilder, Lokson, Truff, occasionally, and himself, who have access to three different citadel gates. Due to the placement of the letter, which was pinned to his wife Elisabeth's pillow, Ronan believes that Bane Graveheart is one of the keymasters. As the council members fire shots at one another, Lokson suggests holding an event to boost the citadel's morale; namely, an archery competition. Suddenly, Ronan's wife Elisabeth bursts in, bringing a Bane Graveheart letter threatening the imminent destruction of the water gate.

Lokson and Cheltham make haste for the underground water gate, followed by Truff and his soldiers and Jo. Lokson, Cheltham, Truff, and Jo pass through, finding a lit blastpowder keg within. Cheltham extinguishes the fuse with a damp arrow, and they read yet another threatening letter pinned to the keg's rim. The four return to the council room, where they find that Ronan has retired to his chambers. Accusations fly between the gathered keymasters once again, with many of the jabs aimed at Matron Wilder as her alibi weakens. The last straw comes when Matron Wilder accidentally misnames one of Ronan's children, prompting Truff to arrest her.

As Matron Wilder is led away, Amber Hewson accompanies Emma, Cole, and Heyna to the mess hall. Jo attempts to make conversation with Amber as they walk, but their interaction is awkward, and Emma rescues Jo by inquiring after Amber's family at Harbone Citadel. In the mess hall, a lovestruck Jo continues to observe Amber; he eventually blunders and falls, making a mess as a result of his distraction. Slimmo saves Jo, taking him into his kitchen, and the two discuss love. Slimmo reveals that he was deeply in love with a doe in his youth, but that her love for him died; he encourages Jo to act on his feelings for Amber while he can. While in the kitchen, Jo notices a pile of soaked clothes in Slimmo's laundry bin, which Slimmo claims are wet with sweat, as well as the symbols B+G=♥ carved into a crate. Jo and Slimmo chat for a bit longer over blackroot tea, then Jo leaves to seek out Amber.

Jo searches for Amber in Blackstone's common, but is unable to locate her. Jo also has a chance meeting with his old friend Nate Flynn, who has come with the Bracers to supplement Emma's entourage, and the two bucks catch up. Back in their quarters, Emma, Cole, and Heyna prepare for a dinner with Lokson, while Jo makes plans to woo Amber. In the mess hall, Jo meets with Slimmo, who leads him to a table at which Amber is seated. Amber allows Jo to sit with her, and they have dinner together, compliments of Slimmo. After the meal, Jo attempts to tell Amber of his feelings for her, but Amber cuts him off by revealing that while she does care for him, she is already engaged to Lokson.

A confused and dejected Jo reunites with Emma and the Blackstars, who inform him that he will be representing The Cause by taking part in an elite archery competition the next day. Back in their quarters, shortly after Cole admits that he is doubtful that Matron Wilder is Bane Graveheart, he and Jo are roused by Nate Flynn, Owen and Studge, who tell them that Matron Wilder has escaped. The bucks assemble in the mess hall with the others, where Ronan's wife Elisabeth gives Ronan's keymaster key to Captain Truff and begs them all to find Matron Wilder and eliminate Bane Graveheart's threats. The bucks split up, and just as Jo, Cole, Owen, and Studge are about to go search, Jo is hailed by Slimmo, who asserts that he may know where Matron Wilder has gone and urges them to come with him. Reluctantly, the four bucks follow Slimmo out of Blackstone Citadel. Slimmo says that he believes Wilder has a fallback base near Black Lake, to which he leads Jo and his friends. On the lake's shores they find tracks, from which Slimmo deduces that Wilder has fled by boat. Just as they begin pursuit, they spot a group of wolves nearby. To escape the wolves, the bucks flee to Slimmo's Warren Fortress. While they wait for the wolves to pass, Slimmo shows Jo where he grows blackroot; coming back from the room, Jo happens upon a shrine-like place, where, once again, he spots the carving B+G=♥. Slimmo arrives and explains that the room is dedicated to his lost love, whom Jo assumes was Matron Wilder.

Some time later, Slimmo, Jo, Cole, and the Bracers return to Blackstone Citadel. They are met by Lokson, who is testy on account of hearing of Jo's attraction to Amber. The bucks, minus Lokson, meet with Amber, who reveals that Matron Wilder left behind a letter explaining that while she is not Bane Graveheart, she will never return to Blackstone. Cole and the others leave for bed, but Jo once again attempts to explain to Amber his feelings for her. Again, however, Amber refuses him, asserting that she must keep the promise she made to Lokson. Still confused, Jo wanders the citadel for an hour, during which time he resolves to win over Amber once and for all by winning the Ultimate Archer's Cup the next day.

The next morning, Jo readies himself for the competition despite Cheltham's continuous attempts to intimidate him. In the mess hall, he speaks once more with Slimmo, who reveals that he is preparing to win back his love. Thinking that Slimmo is going after Matron Wilder, Jo wishes the cook luck. He also talks with Gallipot Grenda, who, having heard of Jo's pursuit of Amber, gently reminds him that love is not something that can be forced. His confidence all but drained, Jo enters Blackstone common, where he familiarizes himself with his competition. Shortly, the Ultimate Archer's Cup begins. Jo aces his first shot and makes it to the second round, which is more difficult, with all but Jo, Cheltham, Lokson, and Nate Flynn being eliminated. Just then, a worried Amber approaches Jo, bearing yet another Bane Graveheart letter, this one threatening death and the citadel's destruction at nightfall. The archers break before the final round, and Jo and Amber inform Emma, Grenda, and the Blackstars of the news. Emma, Heyna, and Amber leave to join Lord Ronan, while Jo, whom Emma told to stick with his task of winning the cup, along with Cole and Grenda make for the mess hall. On the way, Grenda receives a compliment from Buster Harvey. In the mess hall, Grenda explains that Buster earlier mistook her for Matron Wilder, a comment Grenda resented, as she had never believed Matron Wilder beautiful. Cole comments that Grenda is as beautiful as Lady Elisabeth, to which Grenda responds that while they share the same fur color, they have nothing else in common, adding that Elisabeth had many suitors in her youth.

Jo contemplates what Grenda has said, his mind suddenly putting two and two together. Realizing from all that he has seen and heard that Bane Graveheart is Slimmo, Jo orders Cole to find Truff and orders Grenda to collect every antidote she can, telling them both to meet him in the Lord's Quadrant. Jo then hurries for the Lord's Quadrant himself despite the announcement that the final round of the Ultimate Archer's Cup is about to begin. Passing by the unconscious guards at the Quadrant gate, Jo enters Ronan's family chambers, where he finds Emma, Heyna, and Amber, who are paralyzed but conscious. Terrified but determined, Jo presses on. Suddenly, Slimmo leaps out from behind a pillar, blowing poison darts at Jo. The archer dodges Slimmo's attacks and tries to reason with him, but the cook is crazed with his determination to kill Ronan and take Elisabeth for his own. Slimmo questions how Jo knew he was Bane Graveheart, and Jo explains that the blackroot tea, Slimmo's supposedly sweaty clothes, the first lit blastpowder barrel, and the Ultimate Archer's Cup all helped him realize. Slimmo responds bitterly, asserting that he believed he could trust Jo due to the younger buck's own love for Amber; but Jo relates to the cook the advice he himself had been given, that love cannot be forced. Nevertheless, Slimmo presses on with his plan, seizing Elisabeth's drugged body and preparing to kill the unconscious Ronan.

Just as Slimmo is raising his sword, Jo fires an arrow that flies through the rings of the cook's apron and finds the wooden column behind, pinning Slimmo. The older buck cuts himself free, but is immediately charged by Jo, who wrestles away his sword. Finally, Cole arrives, followed by Owen and Studge, all of whom help Jo subdue a furiously struggling Slimmo. Jo convinces Slimmo to tell them how to relieve the rabbits he has drugged, and the cook also reveals that the blastpowder barrels he'd scattered around the citadel are only filled with pepper. Grenda begins moving the drugged rabbits to the hospital, with Slimmo adding that Truff is drugged and locked in his secret pantry. Slimmo is taken away just as Lokson bursts in. Lokson is relieved to see Amber safe, and informs them all that Cheltham and Nate Flynn are still in the competition.

A day later, Jo and his friends look on as Lord Ronan pledges his support to Emma and the Cause. It is also announced that Grenda has taken Matron Wilder's place as keymaster and that Nate Flynn has won the Ultimate Archer's Cup. A few hours later, Jo visits Slimmo in his detention cell and takes him to Blackstone's main gate. There, he informs Slimmo that he has arranged for him to go with a group of votaries and Lokson, who has renounced his claim on the position of Blackstone's lord, and his army to Halfwind Citadel. Slimmo is thrilled and deeply grateful about this venture, and he bids Jo a tender farewell. Finally, Jo reconciles with Lokson, and they both admit their own shortsightedness concerning Amber. Lokson even offers his place as keymaster to Jo, but the archer refuses, asserting that his true place is beside Emma. Jo and Lokson therefore say their goodbyes, with both bucks expressing a desire to see the other, after the war is over, safe in the Mended Wood.

## Appearances

Characters

* Amber Hewson
* Breelia Wilder
* Buster Harvey
* Cara Loglew
* Cheltham
* Cleeve Hapson
* Coleden Blackstar
* Devert
* Doosan
* Elisabeth
* Emma Joveson
* Gallipot Grenda
* Glen Harty
* Grare
* Heyna Blackstar
* Jervie
* Jo Shanks
* Lokson
* Mona
* Nate Flynn
* Owen
* Ronan
* Smoot
* Studge
* Truff

Mentioned characters

* Copeland
* Danmark
* Fleck Blackstar
* Frye
* Gort
* Heather Longtreader
* Helmer
* Helmer Hewson
* Hewson
* Heyward
* Jane
* Jupiter Goodson
* Lady Blackstar
* Lokken
* Lynn Hewson
* Maggie Weaver
* Morbin Blackhawk
* Picket Longtreader
* Redeye Garlackson
* Smalden Joveson
* Stovall Ganes
* Victor Blackstar

Groups

* Bracers
* The Cause
* Fowlers
* Lokson's army
* Longtreader family
* Lord's Council
* Lords of Prey
* Matron Wilder's faction
* Rangers
* Votaries

Locations

* Natalia
	+ Black Lake
		- Grare's Warren Fortress
	+ Blackstone Citadel
	+ Cloud Mountain (mentioned)
	+ Corby (mentioned)
	+ Crummy Bowyer's Shop (mentioned)
	+ East Wood
	+ First Warren (mentioned)
	+ Glen Clair (mentioned)
	+ Halfwind Citadel (mentioned)
	+ Harbone Citadel (mentioned)
	+ Heart's Edge (mentioned)
	+ Jupiter's Crossing (mentioned)
	+ Kingston (mentioned)
		- Warren Fortress
	+ Mended Wood (mentioned)
	+ Red Lake Hills (mentioned)
	+ Rockback Valley (mentioned)
	+ Vandalia Citadel (mentioned)

Culture and events

* Archer's Cup (mentioned)
* Battle of Rockback Valley (mentioned)
* Blackroot
* Blastpowder
* Blue Fever
* Captain
* Citadel lord
* Division of Blackstone Citadel
* Green Ember
* Keymaster
* Lalla oil
* Lead Captain
* Lieutenant
* The Mending
* Ultimate Archer's Cup

## Trivia

* The book is longer than *The Last Archer* and *The First Fowler* combined.
* The dedication reads "For Rebecca Mackay" and includes the Latin text *Mea soror cara, ab initio te amave. Eras mihi prima audiens et confirmatio constans fuisti. Deus te semper teneat et custodiat.* This translates to "My dear sister, I have loved you from the beginning. You were the first to listen to me and confirmation consisting treated. May God hold and protect you always."

## Media

New Green Ember Archer Adventure is Here!A promotional video for *The Archer's Cup*.Happy Birthday to The Archer's Cup!A promotional video celebrating the one-year anniversary of *The Archer's Cup*.
## References

[1]
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 [2]
3. ↑ Q&A with S. D. Smith | New Seddleton - YouTube
4. ↑ Google Translate