Disclaimer: I do not own the His Dark Materials series.

A/N: Hi, everyone! Here is chapter 16. I promise that we'll see more Mrs. Coulter and Lyra scenes, but for now, the plot has to advance. I hope you're still enjoying it! Thanks so much for reading!

And also, if you've enjoyed the Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel romance thus far, I encourage you to take a look at my new story called Affluent Affairs. I go back to the start of their relationship and incorporate some twists, and since the story is primarily about them, I don't have to split it between different elements like in this story. Just some innocent self-promotion :)

16.

Arduous Attempt

Adolfo never was the most coordinated person, and that was definitely true as he stumbled out of the bar, crazed laughs and shouts fading out behind him. Asriel really was a hoot, and Adolfo knew that the good man also had several too many shots of vodka that night. Those Moskivans really knew how to make their booze! They just couldn't help themselves at such an unexpected reunion. Some friends, like Asriel, were ones with which you could always have a good time. There was just something so wild and free-spirited about him, and even though he hadn't seen him in several years, Adolfo thought that he'd never seemed happier.

As he crossed the town square and stumbled back to his cabin, visibly tripping a bit and clutching onto his ferret daemon for balance, Adolfo took a look up at the moon. It was extraordinarily bright and full, and it illuminated nearly everything. He could see the shadows of the town buildings and the eerie reflection of various pieces of glass, and as he continued to move forward, not really watching where he was going, he could see something blurred across his vision.

Stopping, Adolfo suddenly turned, not sure of what had happened. Did he really just see someone move across the square? He squinted his eyes to try and see better, nearly losing his balance in the process. As he did so, he caught the golden gleam of a monkey's fur amongst a steadily moving mound of shadow. "Marisa? 'S that you?"

The figure stopped, and Adolfo took a sloppy step forward, somehow encouraged. If it really was Marisa, then he'd go and have a perfectly nice late-night chat. He vaguely wondered why she was out so late as it had to be into the wee hours of the morning, but that didn't really seem important. He trudged on, determined to go and say hello to the beautiful lady.

However, to his surprise, she came to him!She stepped out of the shadows, and just as he'd thought, it was Marisa, dressed lavishly in one of her beautiful furs and a long, sparkling dress. She was smiling at him now, her blues eyes shining in the light of the moon, and Adolfo stopped, already feeling himself grow giddy from her presence.

"Marisa, m'dear!" He held out a hand, which swayed and flopped as he fumbled with his footing. "Fancy meeting you here! What're you doin'?"

"Just going out for a stroll," she said sweetly, coming to stand close to him. He could smell her perfume, which always smelled so incredibly fresh and invigorating, and Adolfo closed his eyes for a moment, feeling utterly overwhelmed and lost.

"Were you with Asriel tonight?"

"Yes, yes!" Adolfo shouted, opening his eyes and beaming at her. "Your husband and I 'ad a few drinks for old time's sake! We would've invited you, 'o course, but we were drinkin' things not meant for kind ladies like yourself!"

"I see," she said, nodding and blinking warmly at him. The monkey was grinning at Solocia, who flicked her whiskers shyly, and Adolfo felt weightless.

"So do you want so' company tonight, m'lady?" He had a goofy grin on his face as he hobbled even closer to her, their hands almost brushing. He wanted nothing more than to just be with her, if only for a cordial conversation, and he didn't even know why. Marisa smiled sweetly before shaking her head and putting a hand on Adolfo's shoulder as he suddenly stumbled.

"You look like you need to rest. Perhaps I'll come visit tomorrow."

"You promise?" Adolfo burped, searching her gaze. She seemed sincere enough since she looked genuinely concerned and kind about it all, and why would she make such an empty statement? She wouldn't, he knew. That's just how she was. Yet still, the thought of leaving her made his heart ache. He had always been quite fond of her, even though she was Asriel's girl (wife now?), and some soft spots just never go away.

"Of course," she replied, gently steering him around and urging him back towards his cabin. "But if you're not in good shape, how much fun would it be? Go rest now, Adolfo. I'll stand here until you make it safely into your house."

And indeed she waited for him to slobber back over to his house and struggle with the door. He looked back at her, grinning as she raised an arm and waved at him, and he practically fell through the threshold before slamming the door shut, trapping a corner of his coat as he struggled to pull free.

With his face concealed by the door and his light out a few minutes later, Mrs. Coulter turned around and headed back the way she was going, taking care to stay further into the shadows. That man was a complete, utter moron, and how he'd manage to spot her was still a mystery. But she'd nonetheless still have to be more careful, so the golden monkey kept guard from behind her as she moved forward until she reached the edge of town. She then glanced around her a few times, feeling somewhat vulnerable beneath the moon.

It was a long time since she'd been out beneath the stars. There was always a constant barrage of clouds in the northern most regions of the North, so it was rare to have an opportunity to look up and see the heavens. Tilting her head up, Mrs. Coulter felt rather minute compared the vastness of the sky, and she felt a slight chill rustle through her at the thought.

Presently, a man with a thick fur coat and large hood draped over his face stepped out of a shadow to greet her, bowing slightly. Mrs. Coulter shook herself and turned to face him, aware that he seemed quite rugged.

"You made it," she said, watching as he retreated to grab a small, single sledge and a pair of rough, growling dogs. "Good."

"It'll be three hundred for the ride," he gruffed, holding out his hand. It was unclothed and gnarled. "You'll then return it to a man named Dawson just to the east of Trollesund."

Nodding, Mrs. Coulter pulled out a pile of money and dropped it in his outstretched hands, not even bothering to look at face. It was probably hideous. "Excellent. I will be back momentarily, and then I will leave and you will make sure no one is following."

She then turned around and headed back the way she came, aware of the man watching her. Mrs. Coulter felt a strange unease prickle through her system, and as she held the golden monkey tight, she wondered if it would work. As evidenced by Adolfo, Asriel had to be completely drunk. But even drunk, Asriel was dangerously clever, and his ultimate invincibleness made her worry. She'd also left Lyra by herself, but she'd only been gone ten minutes. Surely that wasn't enough time for Asriel to take her?

To Mrs. Coulter, it seemed that nothing was evenly balanced anymore. Every decision had its consequence, and every advantage was rivaled by an impending disadvantage. She really was getting tired of it all, and as she entered into town and made her way back to the hotel, she really just wanted it end.