Chapter 3 - The Problem

Lyra strolled slowly down the stone flagstones next to the river. The sunlight was beaming into the water, making patterns that caught Lyra's attention. Here was a good place to think. She sat down over the edge of the river, legs dangling a metre away from the water.

" I just thought of something Pan" Said Lyra as she took a deep breath, the air was cold and refreshing. "If angels are supposed to be morally superior, and make decisions for all living things… Surely they wouldn't lie."

"Carry on" murmured Pan, now intrigued.

"Well it's just that, the angel back there, it told use that we were lied to about the spectres, and I can't help thinking that… perhaps we're not being told the entire truth."

"But surely if angels couldn't tell lies, then what the told us there was entirely true?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Answered Lyra, and decided it was time for some serious thinking, she pushed he legs up from over the side of the river, and set off back to the roof of Jordan college, it felt more like home there.

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Will awoke with a start, there was a brief period of time where he didn't know anything, and didn't care. But then it hit him, his conversation with the fallen angel. Slowly he recollected what had happened, the angel had told him to grab a hold of it's arm. He remembered then a feeling that he would never forget, he seemed to just disappear, and suddenly he was in nothingness, in-between worlds. He'd arrived here, asleep. He looked around him, the room was beautifully furnished, red velvet and gold trimming laced every corner of the room. He stood up and took in the rest of the room, expensive paintings, sculptures of angels, and sense of royalty all about him. There came a knock on the door and will still fully clothed weakly said "Come in".

The fallen angel had entered the door, he looked far less… disgusting now he'd had a chance to look at him, and the stench of death seemed to have disappeared.

"I trust you slept well, don't worry, you fell asleep of your own accord, crossing the worlds in such un-conventional ways has it's toll on the human body." Explained the angel, seeing Will's confused look.

"So are we in Lyra's world now?" Inquired Will

"Regrettably, no. I'm sorry I didn't mention this before Will, but the favour I need you to do, you have to do it before you can see her, it's the only way that I can make sure the task gets done. I hope you are not upset by this news?"

For some odd reason Will wasn't upset, in usual circumstances he would have been furious, but right now it didn't matter, he was going to see Lyra again soon.

"It's OK, what are you going to have me do?" Asked Will.

"All in good time Will, I have my superiors to answer to as well, you will have to see them, I will take you to them in two hours time. In the meanwhile I do ask of you that you bathe, and wear the clothes that I have set out for you. Don't worry, they're from your world, so I'm sure you will find them agreeable."

Without another word the angel left through the door it had entered, leaving Will to get ready for the big meeting.

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The authority stirred in his throne, he had been asleep for most of the day, a being in his position has to rest. He awoke to an angel travelling towards his chamber, but did not recognize Xarmania at first.

"Stop where you are." The authority's voice was deep, and made the very chamber shake as he spoke. "Identify yourself."

"It is I sir, Xarmania, I bring back news about the conversation with the girl." The authority beckoned Xarmania into the chamber and offered him a seat in front of his throne.

"Well Xarmania? What news of the girl?" questioned the authority, if it wasn't important then Xarmania wouldn't be here.

"I did as you commanded sir, I went to her and I told her that under no circumstances was she to meet the fallen angel, or attempt to look for Will."

"So what is the problem?"

"Well sir, I don't think she particularly listened to me, she was of course startled by the mention of his name, but not by enough." The angel was nervous now, his breathing quick and sharp.

"You need not worry Xarmania, you are too important of a servant to me to be killed for this hiccup. You are to aid Xaphania from now on."

"Xaphania sir, what does she have to do with all this?" questioned the angel, a mix between anger and fear.

"Ah, so she hasn't told you, that is commendable. I gave Xaphania a task my child, you know of the boy, Will. Well I asked her to retrieve him. Under a disguise Will wasn't able to recognize her, and she told him that she was you, and succeeded in bringing him to me."

"I beg of you to pardon my insolence, but what does the boy have to do with this? He shouldn't get involved and punished for something that Lyra has to face."

"No you're right, he shouldn't be punished, but life isn't fair. I'm sure he's already learnt that, and I want to give him one final look at his sweetheart. Especially after that bastard cut my son free in the battle with Lord Asriel. I haven't had the heart to engineer another son after that, and I find this to be just payback."

Xarmania found his beliefs wavering. The one god was nothing but a spiteful angel out for vengeance. But there was of course, nothing he could do about it, if the Authority didn't kill him on the spot for voicing his opinions, his legions of loyal followers would do in a heartbeat.

"Very well sir" Was all that he said, before picking himself up, and leaving the way he had come.

Authors Note

Yes it was a little bit of a shorter chapter, I had to attempt to explain a few things that were bothering me, I'd love to hear some of your reviews, and thanks to everyone who was read so far, I hope you're enjoying it.