The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Character
Gerard of the Clee
A ruined old shepherd of the Clee, homeless after the Red Hold burned him out, who guides Birdalone toward the City of the Five Crafts.
supporting
Also known as Gerard of the Clee, old Gerard, Gerard, good Gerard
First appearance: II: Of Birdalone and Her Fellowship, Their Faring Over the Downland
As a supporting figure in The Water of the Wondrous Isles, Gerard of the Clee is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Gerard, an old but wayworthy man, is hired by Birdalone along with his two sons.
Gerard rides the byways with his two grown sons, Robert and Giles, having lost house, gear, and bestial to the Red Hold a month before. He offers Birdalone not just escort but a plan: over the roadless downland, past Upham, to a walled city where a woman of crafts might earn her bread. His frank, practical kindness and his willingness to uproot what remains of his family for her sake give Birdalone her first taste of trustworthy fellowship on the road.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
14 connectionsA slice of how Gerard of the Clee sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Birdalone's allies and mentors
- Protagonist
- City of the Five Crafts friends
- Quest champions and minor characters
+9 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the three l…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Birdalone
professional · positive
Gerard is a skilled craftsman and helper who assists Birdalone with practical tasks and… How this plays out →
- Birdalone
professional · positive
Gerard is a skilled craftsman and helper who assists Birdalone with practical tasks and… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Gerard of the Clee in II: Of Birdalone and Her Fellowship, Their Faring Over the DownlandIn the story
Gerard of the Clee appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- I: Birdalone Rides to Greenford and There Takes Leave of Arnold and His Men
- II: Of Birdalone and Her Fellowship, Their Faring Over the Downland
- III: They Come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone Meets with the Poor-Wife
- V: Of the Death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone. She Is Warned in a Dream to Seek the Black Squire, and Is Minded to Depart the City of the Five Crafts, and Seek Again the Castle of the Quest
- VI: Of the Sundering of Birdalone from Gerard and His Sons
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Gerard of the Clee unlock in the free preview.
See Gerard of the Clee in II: Of Birdalone and Her Fellowship, Their Faring Over the Downland