Morning came early, as it always did. Lee and Lyra headed back to the den before first light, flowing back into themselves with ease. Lee awoke shortly after dawn, back in his human skin. Hester was curled up in his arms, the pack had returned and were resting, Iorek was snoozing outside, Serafina and Kasia were somewhere about their business and Lyra and Pan were in their sleeping-cave. All was well.

Lee lay there longer than was his wont, savouring a rare moment of peace. He sensed it might be his last for a long, long time. Hester snuggled against him, sharing in the feeling.

But as the morning light brightened from grey to gold, Lee knew it was time to make a move. Today, they would speak to the Gyptians, see if they could hire a boat and someone crazy enough to take them beneath Jordan and back out for their rescue mission. Lee wondered how much they'd demand in payment. More than he had on him, that was for certain. He'd have to see if Lyra's father had money stashed away somewhere. It wasn't strictly honourable to help yourself to another man's money while he was asleep, but given the circumstances…

He forced himself out of bed to wash and brew coffee, before ducking outside the den for a quick chat with Iorek. The great bear was none the worse for his ordeal. His wound was healing quickly and although Lee suspected it would scar, Iorek was untroubled by this. The panserbjørne wore their scars with pride, as emblems of battles won, and enemies defeated.

'Lee,' said Iorek just before the aeronaut headed back inside the den to prepare breakfast. 'I have a message from Serafina Pekkala. She has gone to speak to the Gyptians on your behalf.'

Lee paused, surprised by the news. He was unbothered by witches, having encountered them several times in the wilds of the North. Hell, one had even taken him as her lover when he'd been younger and stupider. But few people who lived south of the Arctic Circle were familiar with witches. Most would be afraid of them, and the Magisterium condemned them as temptresses and evil sorcerers.

'It seems Serafina is acquainted with one of the Gyptians,' Iorek told him, seeing him taken aback. 'She met him some forty years ago. She has not spoken to him in many years, she said, but she is confident he will assist us.'

Lee wasn't so sure – forty years was a long time for a man, though not for a witch – but he knew, better than most, how compelling the friendship or the love of a witch could be. He nodded to Iorek and went to start breakfast.

Lyra was up shortly afterwards, tempted out by the smell of toasting bread, and Lee told her about Serafina's going to the Gyptians. They concurred it was best to wait for her to return and see what she had to say, and so settled in for a morning in the den. Lee, after poking about in one of the supply caves in search of reading material or some diversion, came across an old chessboard and various gaming pieces, and suggested a game of Checkers. Lyra had never even heard of this, and so the morning passed with her learning the rules and making quite extraordinary progress, beating Lee in only their third game.

'Kid's got talent,' pronounced Hester. 'Took you weeks to learn that much strategy.'

'I saved my brain-power for poker,' Lee retorted.

'I wish you'd save some of it for everyday – look alive, I think Serafina Pekkala's back.'

Lee and Lyra looked up from their latest game just in time to see Serafina land silently in the glade, Kasia swooping down a moment later.

'I have been to speak to the Gyptians,' she announced without preamble. 'I told them as little as possible, only that you wish to rescue a comrade from Jordan College and that such an endeavour will be dangerous. They are willing to meet with you, Mr Scoresby, to discuss this rescue you have planned. There is a Gyptian boat waiting at St John's Lock, just before the White Horse River forks off from the Isis.'

'Much appreciated, ma'am,' Lee said, rising to his feet. 'Lyra, you know where that is? Good, let's get going.'

'Before you leave,' Serafina said, arresting their progress. 'I would advise you to be honest with the Gyptians. I suggest you explain about being wolfwalkers and your connection with Asriel.'

That gave Lee pause. He glanced over at Lyra and saw her looking dubious.

'My father always said we were never to tell anyone,' she said to Serafina. 'It's too dangerous. I shouldn't have told Mr Scoresby, before I knew he was a wolfwalker, only… well, I had a feeling about him.'

'She's got a point,' Lee said to Serafina. 'The more people know about us, the riskier it is.'

'I understand,' Serafina nodded. 'And in other circumstances, I would advise you to keep your gifts secret. But you will need allies – not just for this rescue attempt, but for afterwards. When you go out into the world as wolfwalkers. There are forces that seek to subdue you, or worse, exploit you. Having friends to call on in such times would be invaluable.'

Lyra's expression shifted from sceptical to thoughtful. Pantalaimon turned into a starling and flew up to perch on her shoulder.

'It's a good idea, Lyra,' he said.

'Depends on who we tell,' Hester murmured. 'Gyptians are the same as everyone else – some will be trustworthy folk, others will be devious beggars. We'll have to choose carefully.'

'Who would you have us tell, ma'am?' Lee enquired of Serafina.

'Coram Van Texel,' she said at once. 'I have known him for decades, and he is the finest of men. And John Faa, lord of the Western Gyptians. He is an honourable man. A fierce warrior.'

Lee turned to Lyra.

'It's your call, kid,' he said. 'I made you that promise, to keep quiet unless you give say so, and I'm sticking to it.'

He wasn't sure this was the right thing to do, wasn't sure it was right to lay the burden of deciding upon Lyra, but Lee kept his promises, come hell or high water. He was relieved to see her consider the matter for a moment, quite composed, before she nodded to him and Serafina.

'If Serafina Pekkala thinks they can be trusted, then I'll trust them as well,' she said. 'But only Coram Van Texel and Lord Faa. No-one else. Specially not Tony Costa or Ma Costa.'

Lee quirked a sardonic eyebrow at the final stipulation. Lyra hunched her shoulders and stared at the ground.

'Lyra stole their narrowboat,' Pantalaimon piped up helpfully.

'It wasn't just me,' Lyra muttered.

'It was your idea!'

'Maybe they'll be willing to live and let live,' interrupted Lee, who sensed an old unwinnable argument was gaining traction. 'Come on, Lyra, let's go and speak with the Gyptians and see what they have to say. We'd better take Iorek too. Getting him out of the forest will be for the best, now the Council's after him. Ma'am, will you be coming with us?'

'I will,' said Serafina. Lee smiled his thanks, and strode towards the tunnel, glad to be finally setting his rough plan to rescue Asriel in motion.

#

The journey to St John's Lock was a five-mile walk. The distance didn't trouble any of them but trying to cover it discreetly with a panserbjørn was a nerve-jangling endeavour. Fortunately, it began raining as they left the forest, a light dull drizzle that deterred most ramblers. Lyra went on ahead, with Pantalaimon in the form of a hawk to spy out rubber-neckers and gawkers. Serafina and Iorek strolled along together, with Lee and Hester bringing up the rear and keeping a weather eye out for trouble.

Despite a few hairy moments when they encountered passers-by (and one rather farcical moment when Lyra pretended she was being bitten by an adder to distract a nosy farmhand and her cockerel daemon from the armoured bear creeping behind him) they accomplished the trip successfully. They climbed over a stile (or stepped over it, in Iorek's case) and St John's Lock loomed into view through the misty rain, the mighty water-gates dark and slippery. Gyptian narrowboats lined up along both sides of the river, and Gyptians tended to their boats, or stoked fires on the riverbank or stood around chatting.

The presence of their motley band on the bank halted all mundane activity, however. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared, more at Iorek and Serafina Pekkala than Lee and Lyra. People leaned over to whisper to their nearest neighbour, and one or two clutched at amulets or good-luck charms worn on necklaces or pinned to their coats.

Lee saw their suspicion and anxiety and stepped forward.

'Morning all,' he said, tipping his hat to the nearest group of Gyptians. 'We're looking for Lord Faa and Coram Van Texel.'

A chiselled-featured man with a grey heron for a daemon stepped forward and stared at Lee with assessing ice blue eyes. Lee had the uncanny impression that the man could see straight through him, through cloth and flesh and blood, right down to his skeleton. He held firm and stared back.

'Why do you wish to see them?' the man asked after a moment.

'I'm afraid that's private business,' Lee answered. 'But rest assured, we ain't here to cause trouble.'

The man looked at Lee for a few seconds more, then turned to his companion, a gangly boy with a wolfhound daemon. The kid couldn't have been more than fourteen; his daemon must have settled very recently. The tall man whispered in his ear, and the boy nodded and set off down the riverbank.

'We'll tell Lord Faa you're here,' the man said. 'Whether he speaks to you is up to him.'

That was fair enough. Lee nodded assent and waited. Serafina Pekkala came to stand beside him, and the Gyptians all stepped back a pace. Lyra, grinning at their nervousness, came forward as well, holding onto Lee's arm in familiar fashion.

It was then that Lee noticed a dark-haired young man with a hawk daemon gazing raptly at him and Lyra.

He recognised Tony Costa, one of the Gyptians they had rescued the night before last. Tony's gaze was a mixture of suspicion and awe, and Lee felt his shoulders tense, as if someone had trained a gun at his back. He felt Hester shiver next to him and bent to pick her up and hold her close. Tony stared hard at Hester too, and Lee turned aside slightly to shield her.

Lyra noticed Tony as well and huddled close to Lee. Her movement attracted Tony's attention, and he glanced at her. His jaw dropped in astonishment.

'Lyra? Lyra Belacqua?' he cried. Lyra winced.

Some of the other Gyptians started, and Lee readied himself for a confrontation. But a moment later he realised it was unnecessary. The Gyptians ranged around Tony were all smirking or outright laughing – even the sharp-faced, serious man with the heron-daemon.

'So, this is the ruthless pirate who boarded your boat a year back?' chortled one plump man with a ringed plover daemon. 'She looks fearsome, Tony! You'd best watch out!'

Tony rubbed at the back of his head, his intensity turned to sheepishness, while Lyra tried her best to look innocent. Everyone – including Iorek and Serafina – laughed. The mood lightened immediately, and the man with the plover daemon stepped over to where he was brewing tea, to take the kettle off the fire and offer it to the human visitors.

Lee, Lyra and Serafina all accepted the tea, brewed Gyptian-fashion with rosehips and blackcurrants and served without milk. They had just finished a mugful apiece when two men came striding towards them. Well, one was striding, head held high, his hooded crow daemon perched upon his shoulder. The other, despite being a tall, broad man, walked softly and with his head down, as if afraid to take up too much space in the world. Nonetheless his daemon, a cat with extraordinary red-gold fur, walked proudly at his side, her yellow eyes unblinking.

'Lee Scoresby and Lyra Belacqua,' said the shorter man as he approached. It was a statement, and not a question.

'Lord Faa,' nodded Lee. The man's air of authority was unmistakeable. Lord Faa extended his hand for Lee to shake, and Lee did so. Faa's grip was firm, but Lee sensed he was holding back a great deal of strength. This was a man not to be trifled with. As they drew apart, however, Lee saw Faa looking at him with cool approval, as if he had passed some kind of test.

'This is Farder Coram,' said Faa, gesturing towards his companion. 'Serafina Pekkala has told us about you. We're very glad to meet you.'

He turned to look at Lyra then, and smiled warmly.

'And we're very glad to see you again, Lyra – your piracy notwithstanding,' Lord Faa told her. Farder Coram smiled at her too.

'I weren't really going to pull the bung out,' Lyra muttered. Lee quirked an eyebrow. Lord Faa laughed.

'Went all over the Fens, that story,' he remarked. 'Poor Tony had a rough time of it. Best watch out – fierce little girls round here, Tony, everyone was telling him! But that's in the past.'

He glanced beyond Lyra and Lee to Serafina Pekkala and Iorek Byrnison.

'Madam. And Iorek Byrnison, it is good to see you again. Come with me. We have much to discuss, and we shall do it somewhere warm and dry.'

Lord Faa spun round and strode off down the riverbank, and there was nothing for it but to follow. Lee did so, but before he moved off, he saw Farder Coram, and the look in his eyes as he gazed at Serafina. It was a strange melding of love and pain, as if he were gazing upon the sun. It was painful, agony even, yet such was its beauty, he couldn't look away.

Lee realised at once that Farder Coram loved Serafina Pekkala – and probably had been her lover, many decades ago, when he'd been a young, strong man – and it was breaking his heart, because now he was old and would soon die and Serafina would be young for ages to come.

Lee remembered his own witch-lover, and her premature death, and shivered. He'd loved her and grieved for her and moved on with his life and still thought of her sometimes. The love of a witch was intoxicating, compelling, addictive even. It could consume you.

He felt Hester stir in his arms as they walked onwards.

'That ain't you,' she whispered, so only Lee could hear her. She knew where his thoughts had been drifting, had felt his peculiar dread of something that hadn't happened. 'That could never be you.'

'How'd you know, Hester?' he murmured back.

'Cause you gave your witch your heart, Lee, and nothing more. Farder Coram there has given Serafina his soul. You could never do that. You're a free man. You were born that way.'

'Was I, huh?'

'I should know.'

They moved on.

Lord Faa led all of them to a boat larger than the others moored nearby, gorgeously painted in blues and yellows, and led the way up the gangplank. Iorek stepped aboard last of all, and Lee sucked in his breath sharply as the planks of the prow deck groaned under his weight. The deck held firm, however, and the Gyptians seemed unconcerned about the bear's presence. Lord Faa courteously explained that they wouldn't be able to host Iorek in the main cabin due to his size, but they would leave the door open and include him in their counsel. Iorek grunted assent and sat down on deck, while Lord Faa and Farder Coram led the way down some steps into the cabin.

Someone was waiting for them, Lee saw at once. It was a woman with a hawk daemon and a face that suggested both toughness and kindness.

'Ma Costa!' Lyra exclaimed.

'Lyra,' said Ma Costa, and there was real affection in her voice. 'I was hoping to see you again. Welcome, child.'

Lyra, evidently not expecting such a warm greeting, stood uncertainly, holding Pantalaimon as an ermine in her arms. Ma Costa, undeterred, stepped forward and kissed her on the forehead, before stepping back and cradling Lyra's face between her palms.

'You've grown a bit,' she said approvingly. 'Still a ragamuffin, mind.'

'I've been living in the woods,' Lyra half-explained. 'You ent angry about the narrowboat last year? I wouldn't've pulled the bung out, honest.'

Ma Costa grinned.

'Nah, but we'll be having words if you do it again,' she said. 'Oh, Lyra, it's good to see you. We've been worried about you ever since you left Jordan, and not a word or a visit since.'

'So how come you were waiting for her, ma'am?' Lee asked. Had Bernie Johansen been blabbing again? If so, Lee was going to have a serious conversation with him, one that might involve fists.

'It was just a feeling,' Ma Costa explained, letting go of Lyra and squaring up to Lee. 'Serafina Pekkala came to see us this morning, and explained she had some friends who needed our help – an aeronaut and a local girl. She didn't tell us any more than that, but we thought – hoped – it was Lyra. There aren't many local girls who'd ask for help from Gyptians, you see, and even fewer who'd know a witch. We know your Uncle Asriel has travelled in the North a lot. It made sense.'

'Fair enough,' murmured Lee.

'And who might you be?' asked Ma Costa, eyeing him.

'Lee Scoresby, ma'am, the aeronaut Serafina Pekkala told you of,' Lee answered, removing his hat. 'I'm a friend of Lyra's here.'

'Where's Asriel?' enquired Ma Costa, rather coldly. Her hawk daemon ruffled his feathers up, eyeing Lee as if he were a mouse.

'Well, he's in some trouble ma'am,' Lee informed her. He wasn't at all discomposed by her suspicious glare or her sceptical questions. He'd be just as leery if he'd found Lyra in the care of a stranger. 'Which is why we're here, in fact. He needs rescuing.'

'Mr Scoresby has been taking excellent care of Lyra in the meantime,' said Serafina Pekkala. 'I will vouch for him. He has been a great friend to my clan.'

Ma Costa thawed visibly, and the atmosphere in the cabin changed from being an interrogation space to a home receiving welcome visitors.

'Everyone, sit,' Lord Faa said, gesturing at various bunks and cushions. 'I suspect this conservation will take a while.'

There weren't enough seats to go around, but Lyra sat on the floor, propping herself against one of Lee's legs, and Serafina chose to stand by the door. Just as they were all getting settled, there was a scuffling at the opposite end of the boat to where Iorek was waiting, and Tony Costa poked his head into the room.

''Scuse me, Lord Faa, I know this is meant to be a private conversation, but I'd like to be in on it, if I may. I've got some information that might be useful,' he said, voice earnest. His eyes never strayed from Lee and Lyra however, and Lee knew exactly what Tony had on his mind. He leaned over to speak to Lyra quietly.

'Reckon we can trust him?' he asked.

'Yeah, now he's forgiven me for stealing the narrowboat,' Lyra whispered back. 'Tony's good. He taught me how to skip stones.'

Lee straightened back up.

'We've no objections, Lord Faa, if you haven't,' he said. John Faa beckoned Tony into their circle, and Tony came to perch on a countertop. Ma Costa shook her head but didn't say anything.

Rather to Lee's surprise, it was Farder Coram who spoke next, not Lord Faa.

'Serafina Pekkala has told us that you need help rescuing Lord Asriel, that he's in trouble with the City Council – and by extension, the Magisterium,' he said, his daemon watching Lee and Lyra through half-closed eyes. 'And that he's being held in Jordan College, rather than in a prison or a private residence.'

'That's right,' Lee confirmed.

'Lord Asriel has long been a friend to the Gyptians,' Lord Faa said. 'We've been in his debt ever since he helped defeat the Watercourse Bill in Parliament. If we can assist him now, we'd be glad to. But what you're asking will be a very dangerous undertaking.'

'I know, and I won't sugar-coat it,' answered Lee. 'If your people decide to help us, they'll be walking into trouble, and plenty of it. But the people who are holding Asriel captive also kidnapped two Gyptians, to try and blackmail you into doing their bidding. Seems to me you might want to strike back at them, before they can hurt anyone else.'

'Yeah!' cried Tony, right hand forming a fist where it lay on his thigh.

Lord Faa smiled slightly at Tony's enthusiasm.

'It's true, we were attacked, and we consider that a provocation,' he answered. 'But now our friends are restored to us, taking on the might of the Council and by extension the Magisterium would be foolishness.'

Lyra stirred, ready to protest, but Lee placed a hand on her shoulder, and she settled back down. Ma Costa and her daemon watched this with surprise, and the beginnings of approval.

Lee sat back and considered John Faa. He was making reasonable arguments against the Gyptians involving themselves in the rescue of Asriel, but there was no heat or conviction in his words. His voice was neutral, and Lee guessed that he was testing the waters, watching the aeronaut for his reactions, taking his measure.

'Perhaps,' he continued. 'Perhaps they'll leave you alone for a time. But I know something about the man leading the Council, and the people he's got involved, and lemme tell you, they're crazy. Your friends got away from them and thwarted their plans – you really think they'll let that slide? Cause they won't. They won't want any loose ends.'

'Do you know how we got away?' interrupted Tony, jumping down from the countertop and coming to stand over Lee.

'Not now, Tony,' said Farder Coram, as Lord Faa frowned at this disruption. But Tony paid no attention to them.

'We got rescued by two wolves,' Tony continued recklessly. 'Everyone said we'd been knocked stupid, that we were seeing things. But we weren't. There were two wolves, one great big black one and a small golden one. Bit through the ropes holding us and led us back to the river.'

Tony's hawk daemon, who had been perched beside him on the counter, leapt off and glided to land on the floor beside Lee's chair, glowering at Hester, who was sitting on Lee's lap. Hester sniffed.

'And the funny thing was, the big black wolf had a daemon,' said Tony, face and voice feverish with certitude. 'A hare. Brown and white.'

The other Gyptians shifted in their seats, taken aback by his blunt, heretical words. Ma Costa's eyes flicked between Tony and Lee, while Farder Coram leaned over to whisper something to Lord Faa, who nodded. Lee regarded Tony impassively, even as he curled a protective arm around Hester. So much for keeping his daemon hidden during the rescue of the Gyptians.

'I ain't never heard of a wolf with a daemon,' he lied.

'It wasn't a wolf – not an ordinary wolf,' Tony amended. 'I've seen wolves before. No, this wolf was special. It was a wolfwalker, a man who can turn into a wolf. They've lived in the forest for decades. They've got wild magic and they can speak to wolves and they can vanish into thin air –'

'It's true, there have been legends about wolves circulating round Oxford for years,' John Faa broke in, with a glance that quelled even the increasingly agitated Tony. 'Tony's story about being rescued by wolves is… interesting, given the Council has started to hunt them down. It's almost as if we share a common enemy.'

Lee looked at John Faa – and then Serafina. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

'Well, the thing is, I know a bit about these wolves myself,' Lee said, keeping an eye on Tony Costa. 'Lyra's the expert,' he added, as Lyra's head reared up indignantly. 'And I can you, they've no love for the Council or the Magisterium.'

'What do wolves know about the Magisterium?' enquired Lord Faa.

Lee sighed as he wondered how to begin.

'I'm not sure how to explain it,' he admitted.

'Then let me,' broke in Lyra. She stood, and beckoned Tony over. Lee guessed her purpose and waited.

'You got shot the other night,' Lyra said, gesturing at his right arm. 'A bullet nicked you. Can I see it?'

'How'd you know that?' Tony asked, nonetheless shucking his jacket and pulling up his sleeve to reveal a bandage around his upper arm. Lyra began unwrapping it to examine the injury, gripping at Tony's arm when he tried to pull away. The dressing came off to reveal a nasty gash on Tony's bicep, several stiches holding it closed, though the wound was still angry looking. Lyra placed a palm atop it and closed her eyes.

Even Lee, who knew what was coming, was awed all over again by the unfurling and weaving of strands of golden light from beneath Lyra's hand, the radiance shimmering brighter and brighter as the magic gained in strength. Then it winked out, and Lyra took her hand away to reveal Tony's mended arm. The thread that had formed the stiches fell to the floor, no longer needed.

Lee sneaked a look at the Gyptians and couldn't suppress a smile at the flabbergasted expression pasted on everyone's faces. Tony flexed his arm, poked at where the injury had been, and described a sexual perversion even the well-travelled Lee had never heard of before.

'Hey, language!' Lee cried hotly.

'Not in front of Lyra!' Ma Costa exclaimed at the same moment.

Lyra giggled. From the deck, Iorek's gruff laugh rang out.

Tony looked abashed, but only for a moment. He pulled his sleeve back down and stared at Lyra and Lee in turn.

'I was right, wasn't I?' he breathed. 'Wolfwalkers! Both of you! It was you two, wasn't it, that rescued me and Derrick?'

'It was,' grinned Lyra. 'Bernie told us you'd gone missing, Tony. Me and Mr Scoresby found out where you were and went to get you.'

'Oh, Lyra!' cried Ma Costa, standing and sweeping both Tony and Lyra into a hug. Lyra and Tony both squirmed to be set free, but Ma Costa was a strong woman and hung on tight. Lee snickered and turned back to Lord Faa and Farder Coram, who had recovered from their shock and were regarding him with renewed interest.

'Then we owe you our thanks, Mr Scoresby. And it seems we owe you a debt, also,' said Lord Faa.

'Helping your people was my pleasure, and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing to repay,' said Lee, as Hester nuzzled approvingly against his hand. 'But now we need help in turn. Gentlemen, what we're about to discuss must be kept secret – for Lyra's safety, and mine. Not to mention a pack of wolves and Lord Asriel.'

'Nothing we speak of here will leave this boat except by your express permission, Mr Scoresby, Lyra,' vowed John Faa. 'You have my word of honour, and if anyone should violate this, they will answer to me and my justice.'

'I believe him,' whispered Hester.

'Me too,' Lee whispered back. He turned back to Lord Faa.

'We'd better get comfortable,' he said to the Gyptians. 'This is gonna take some time to explain.'

#

It did indeed take a while to explain, but not as long as Lee had feared. The Gyptians, well aware of the legends surrounding Badbury Forest and its wolves, already had a good idea about the nature of wolfwalkers and their powers. Likewise, they already knew a great deal about the City Council and its campaign against the wolves, having sent spies to the Town Hall and Jordan College as soon as Tony and his friend Derrick Volantyne had been taken and the ransom demand – transporting something from Jordan to an undisclosed location – received.

'Alderman Danvers is one of the driving forces behind this campaign to wipe out the wolves,' Lord Faa informed Lee and Lyra. 'He's been a thorn in the side of the Gyptians for several years now – random searches of our boats, trying to bring in regulations about where and when we can moor our craft. He's an ambitious man, very religious. He wants to make a big song-and-dance about something and attract the attention of Parliament, to let him move into national rather than local politics. Wiping out the wolves is his latest crusade.'

'The man's a fanatic,' Lee said bluntly, after describing the pitched battle of the previous night to the Gyptians. 'He's not gonna stop hunting the wolves, not while he has breath in his body. We need to get Asriel and get out of Oxford and get the pack somewhere safe. Lyra has a plan for that.'

'Hmm,' said Lord Faa, considering. 'We have a contact in the Town Hall. Danvers has invested a lot of the Council's money in this wolf hunt – more than many other Council members are happy with. If the hunt should prove a failure, it will damage his credibility.'

Lyra grinned roguishly, exchanging a sly glance with Lee.

'We'd better make sure it's a failure then,' said Lee. 'Lyra, as soon as we've rescued your father, we'll take the wolves away from Badbury Forest. Danvers ain't gonna look too clever if he's got nothing to show for his spending.'

'But before that,' resumed Lord Faa, 'we must rescue Asriel. If you are willing, Mr Scoresby, we shall do it tonight. There is no time to waste. Danvers and his cronies will be on high alert after last night – and they will be searching for you.'

'Hmm, guess I'm not gonna be visiting Oxford anytime soon,' Lee sighed. 'At least not in daylight.'

'You'll have to run,' said Ma Costa, voice resolute. 'All of you. As far as you can. The Gyptians will help you.'

'Much appreciated, ma'am,' said Lee. 'I have my balloon. Once we have Asriel, we'll head for the North. If you could find me some gas to fill it with –'

'Consider it done,' interrupted Tony Costa. His expression was fierce, and suddenly Lee knew why his daemon had settled as a hawk.

'Thanks,' Lee said with a nod. He said nothing more, but from the way Tony's spine straightened, he guessed that Tony wasn't used to being treated as one of the men, someone equal to bloodied warriors like John Faa.

'Getting Asriel will not be like picking someone up off the riverbank – but I've gotten into more heavily guarded places in my time,' continued Lord Faa. 'We have boats that are small and manoeuvrable. We'll wait until nightfall, and then pilot them up the tributary beneath Jordan.'

'Are they strong enough to carry Iorek?' Lee enquired. Lord Faa nodded, to Lee's simultaneous relief and surprise.

'Good. We've been doing some investigation of our own. The access to the Sheldon Building from the tributary has been sealed off, and we'll need Iorek to knock down a wall or two.'

'I shall be glad to,' rumbled Iorek out on deck.

'How many guards?' asked Serafina Pekkala practically.

'Two on duty at any one time,' answered Lee. 'Plenty more scattered about the college. We have a key into the lab, but we'll need someone to kill the anbaric power to the lab before we can get Asriel out of his prison.'

'I'll take care of that,' said Tony, before anyone else could say anything. 'I'm good with anbarics. I'll find the fuses and it'll be lights out before you know it.'

'Good,' nodded Lord Faa. 'We'll be aiming for stealth and speed rather than strength during this rescue. Straight in, straight out, and taking out the guards as quietly as possible. We won't be taking more than eight men, Mr Scoresby, not including Iorek Byrnison. Two to wait with the boats, two to sabotage the power and the rest of us to fetch Asriel.'

'I'll be one of those men going for Asriel,' Lee said, voice mild but expression conveying this was non-negotiable.

'As will I,' said Serafina Pekkala.

'And me!' cried Lyra.

Lee wished for something stronger than tea. A neat shot of whisky would be very welcome fortification for arguing with Lyra. As it was, he was spared the necessity of bickering with her by the appalled Gyptians.

'What? No, you most certainly aren't!' said Ma Costa.

'But he's my father!' Lyra burst out. Lee sucked in his breath – they hadn't revealed Lyra's parentage to the Gyptians. But then he realised that none of the Gyptians looked remotely surprised by this little snippet of information.

'This mission will be too dangerous for you, Lyra. You can wait with me until it's over,' said Farder Coram. He spoke gently, but Lyra's answering glower was anything but gentle.

'I won't wait. I'm a wolfwalker, I'm as dangerous as any of you!' she declared, eyes blazing as she stood and stared them all down.

'You'll do as we tell you!' snapped Ma Costa, taking hold of her arm. 'Your father will want you safe, and this will be anything but safe.'

'But you need me!' Lyra exclaimed. 'He won't trust a stranger, but he'll follow me when he sees me!'

'Absolutely not!' said Farder Coram.

'Kid's got a point,' Hester murmured to Lee.

'Are you nuts, Hester? I'm not dragging her into danger!' he whispered back.

'Seems to me she's safer coming with us than leaving her with the Gyptians. Ain't no way she'll wait quietly for us to come back. At least if she comes someone can keep watch over her.'

Lee reflected for a few moments. His preference was to keep Lyra away from the rescue entirely, but dammit if Hester wasn't right. Lyra was a trouble-magnet, and if left to her own devices she was bound to get into some pickle or other. And she had a point about Asriel. Any reasonable man – or even a wolf – was bound to be mistrustful of some Gyptians, a witch, an armoured bear and an unknown wolfwalker showing up out of nowhere, even if they were purporting to rescue him. Having Lyra along would convince him of their good intentions.

'You can come with us in the boats,' he said, silencing the still-wrangling Gyptians and Lyra. 'Only in the boats, mind. No further. And only if you promise to run for it at the first sign of trouble. Any funny business and I throw you in the river. Deal?'

'Deal,' Lyra said at once. Pantalaimon, who had turned into a large tabby cat and was perched on her shoulders, nodded in turn.

Lord Faa frowned but said nothing. Tony Costa muttered something about a 'daft Texan.' Ma Costa and Farder Coram looked at Lee in utter horror. Only Serafina Pekkala remained composed, though Lee didn't detect any disapproval behind her serene expression.

'Are you mad? Taking a child along on a mission like this?' exclaimed Ma Costa. 'There's a good chance not all of us will make it out alive, and you want to risk Lyra? Not on your life, Texan!'

'There's no "want" about it, ma'am,' said Lee, and though his voice was mild his eyes flashed dangerously. A low growl emanated from the deck, indicating Iorek was listening and had taken umbrage on Lee's behalf. Tony Costa shuffled back a pace or two, but Ma Costa, fearless in her indignation, stood and came to loom over Lee. Her hawk daemon stayed put but shrieked at Hester.

'Dumb bird,' muttered Hester, looking supremely unimpressed.

'Lyra is staying here, where it's safe,' Ma Costa snapped. 'You've no right to go dragging her into danger. You may be the devil-may-care type, but you should know better where –'

'Mr Scoresby knows the danger, better than anyone!' Lyra broke in. 'He's fought off hunters and the Magisterium for me.'

'Then you're even worse than I thought,' Ma Costa continued, obviously working herself up for a fight. Lee sat back and prepared for the onslaught, but Lyra wasn't so sanguine. She shoved her way between Ma Costa and Lee and stood glowering at the taller woman, fury radiating from her entire frame. Pantalaimon turned into a polecat and snarled at Ma Costa's daemon.

'You've no right to speak to him like that!' Lyra spat.

'I've every right!' Ma Costa argued back, glaring at Lee rather than Lyra. 'I've known you since you were born, Lyra! I'm not letting some upstart who doesn't give a damn about you pull you into –'

She got no further, for her words pushed Lyra clean over the brink of her temper. She lunged at Ma Costa, hitting and pummelling, Pantalaimon leaping from her shoulders to stand, fur standing on end and teeth bared, by her side. The Gyptians all sprang to their feet, but Lee was faster than anyone. He stood up and grabbed Lyra, pinioning her arms to her sides and dragging her back out of kicking range.

'Lyra, stand down, honey,' he murmured in her ear. Then he looked over the top of her head at the Gyptians, and Ma Costa, who had fallen silent in shock.

'Ma'am, I understand you want to protect Lyra, and I'm grateful to you for that,' he said. 'But don't ever accuse me of not caring about her. It ain't true, and if you do it again, there's gonna be consequences. You hearing me?'

Silence reigned for a few tortuous moments. Out of the corner of his eye, Lee saw Serafina Pekkala's hand on the handle of her knife.

Ma Costa cleared her throat.

'For saying that you didn't care about Lyra… I apologise,' she said stiffly. Her daemon folded his wings and bowed his head.

'Accepted,' said Lee. 'Now, Lyra, say sorry to Ma Costa for hitting her.'

'She deserved it!' growled Lyra mutinously. Lee rolled his eyes, safe in the knowledge Lyra couldn't see it.

'Maybe, but these are our allies, and there's better ways to resolve things than with fists,' he said quietly to Lyra. She stood unyielding for another few moments, but then she nodded. Pantalaimon stopped snarling and sat down by Lyra's feet. Lee let go of her, and Lyra faced Ma Costa.

'I'm sorry I hit you,' she said, sounding just a little shamefaced. 'But you were wrong. Mr Scoresby and me are pack, and we care about each other more than anything else.'

'You little barbarian,' Ma Costa fumed, smacking Lyra on the ear. 'You lay a finger on me again and I'll bite it off, you hear me?'

'I think she'll know better in future, ma'am,' Lee said drily. Ma Costa's eyes met his, and despite her temper, her mouth quirked upwards at the corners.

'Looks like I underestimated you, Mr Scoresby,' she remarked. 'I've never known anyone able to make Lyra say "sorry" before now.'

'It takes some doing,' Lee answered, smiling just a little. 'But going back to our earlier argument, I'm not wild about Lyra coming along on this rescue. It's gonna be risky. But she's right – Asriel will have no reason to trust a bunch of strangers, and we might need Lyra to spur him along. And besides, this young lady's a tough customer. She's coped with stuff most adults couldn't.'

Ma Costa's mouth widened into a smile. Lord Faa and Farder Coram exchanged glances.

'Very well,' said Lord Faa. 'Eight of us, counting Serafina Pekkala and you, Mr Scoresby, and Iorek Byrnison and Lyra.'

'And me,' said Ma Costa. 'I'll be coming along to look after Lyra.'

Lee was amused to note that neither Lord Faa nor Farder Coram made any attempt to dissuade Ma Costa from this course of action. Tony Costa muttered something that sounded like 'for crying out loud, mum,' but didn't protest.

'Much obliged, ma'am,' Lee told her.

'I'll ask for volunteers, given the danger,' Lord Faa. 'Now, we will have to go armed. Let us know what ammunition you need, Scoresby. I'll bring my –'

He broke off as footsteps sounded on the deck outside.

'Scuse me, bear!' said someone, and a moment later a Gyptian woman poked her head into the cabin. 'Scuse me, Lord Faa, but there's men from the Council coming down the bank, saying they've got a warrant to search our boats!'

'Hellfire,' muttered Lord Faa wrathfully. 'Stall them, Lavinia! Mr Scoresby, Lyra, Serafina Pekkala, go with Tony and Ma Costa. We'll have to hide you – and Iorek Bynison.'

'That ain't gonna be easy!' exclaimed Lee, as Ma Costa and Tony began ushering the wolfwalkers and the witch along the slender interior of the boat. Lord Faa went in the opposite direction, presumably to deal with Iorek.

'We have our ways, Mr Scoresby,' said Tony. 'Now, all of you keep quiet and follow me. Don't worry about the bear – we'll make sure he's safe too.'

And there was nothing for it but to do as they were told.

Author's Notes: Mental casting again:

Ma Costa - Anne-Marie Duff

Farder Coram - James Cosmo

Lord John Faa - Lucian Msamati

The information about Lee's witch lover is taken from Pullman's 'Lantern Slides,' snippets of stories about the worlds and characters of 'His Dark Materials.' Lee apparently used to say that the witch had ruined him for women aged less than 300 (but it didn't prevent him from having plenty of romantic encounters...)

Till next time, dear readers...