Will woke up in darkness, disoriented, with a dull pain in his chest and a stiffness in his limbs. When he tried to shake out his stiffness, he discovered its source: he was tied up with chains. As he struggled against his bonds, he tried to recall what had happened…he didn't remember much, just a bright orange chariot and a sudden shooting pain, and…Lyra! Where was Lyra? If only he could twist his hands enough to reach his knife to free himself…no such luck. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Will scoured his surroundings for his daemon, a possible way out, or a tool that could help him escape. He saw that he was in some sort of dungeon, and…though he couldn't see her, he could sense Kirjava nearby, in distress as well. On the far wall, there was a closed door. But that didn't help much, since he couldn't move…best to wait and see what happens he thought to himself, even though waiting to see what Metatron had in mind wasn't exactly the most appealing course of action for him. Will leaned back, closed his eyes, and started to formulate possible plans of escape.
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Lyra woke up in sunlight, in the middle of a vast field where she had collapsed in exhaustion the night before. Her clothes soaked in dew, and she covered in dirt and grass. The second she realized she was awake, she sat up with a jolt and fought down the tears of helpless rage as the memories of the previous night invaded her being. She wasted no time consulted her alethiometer.
Is Will okay?
Yes, he is unharmed.
Are Pan and Kirjava with him?
Yes.
Where are they?
In a dungeon of Metatron's castle in the northlands.
Lyra shuddered at that answer.
Are they in great danger?
No, you are.
Lyra blinked with surprise at the alethiometer's answer, snapping her out of her trance-like state. "Me?" she thought bewilderedly, "They all get captured in a great fire chariot and I'm the one who's in danger?" She turned back to the alethiometer, curious for more answers.
Why am I in danger?
Metatron hates you.
That seemed obvious to Lyra, but still nothing made any sense.
How can I rescue Will?
Don't.
Lyra blinked again in surprise. She checked the little golden compass again to make sure that she had read it correctly. The needle confidently repeated its course: the answer remained the same. Not rescue Will? That was absurd! Of course she had to help Will! She decided to ask the alethiometer a different question.
What is the shortest route to Metatron's castle?
The alethiometer hesitated. Lyra could tell that it didn't want to answer her.
A three day hike through the mountains, and a two day journey through the northlands.
Is there a quicker way to go than walking?
That hesitation again. It was making her nervous. But she just had to find Will.
Yes.
How?
You will meet a witch.
With that, Lyra straightened up, put her alethiometer back into its little rucksack, hurriedly packed the rest of her and Will's belongings, and proceeded to walk north towards the mountains looming in the distance.
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