"It's an animal."
"No," The witch said, holding him back. "It's Pantalaimon."
"Who?"
"Lyra's dæmon."
"Lyra?"
"We must tell Asril," Ruta said and he paused and looked around.
"Where is Lyra?" He asked as the witch crouched beside Pan. He stopped and panted as he looked up at her.
"Get Asril. Now."
"Why?"
"Get him!" She screamed and he left.
"Ruta?" Asril asked as he came out. He froze as he saw Pan, who was squealing in pain. "Where's Lyra?"
"She's not here. Asril…"
"No. She must be. Search for her!" Asril shouted.
"Asril. They've been separated."
"No. Pantalaimon tell me what happened," Asril said, but Pan was becoming too weak to move. "No. No! Pantalaimon. Pantalaimon."
"There's no sign of her."
"There must be."
"We must get him somewhere safe Asril."
Pan squealed and he closed his eyes.
"Bring him inside," Asril said as tears appeared in his eyes. "Watch for Lyra. Tell me immediately if she is spotted."
"Yes sir."
"What is it? What's going on?"
"Get him to my chambers," Asril said and Ruta took him there.
"Asril."
"Not now!"
"What is going on?" He shouted and Asril turned to him.
"Lyra is dead! She has gone there AGAINST MY WILL!" Asril screamed before he punched metal. "Pantalaimon, her dæmon. He has been separated from her."
"Seperated?"
"It causes irreversible, permanent damage. It happened to Marisa, a long time ago, and she's… She survived."
"Lyra was forcefully taken from her dæmon?"
"No. No, I don't think so. Pantalaimon would not be here if that was the case."
"Then where is she?"
"In the LAND OF THE DEAD!"
"Then she is dead."
"ARE YOU NOT LISTENING?!"
"He is resting," Ruta said as she returned. "Asril. You need to be with him," Ruta said and Asril nodded. He left and Ruta turned to him.
"Why does he have to be with Lyra's dæmon?"
"Because he is Lyra. They are one. He is as much his child as Lyra is."
Asril sat with Pantalaimon as he was restless in the night. He cared for him as he did Lyra. Then finally, he awoke.
"Pan. You're safe," He told him softly.
"Lyra."
"She left you?"
"The boat… She left on the boat…" Pan said and Asril sighed. He dipped the cloth and spread it over Pan's body.
"You need rest Pantalaimon. You are weak."
"She chose… Roger over me…" He said and Asril paused. "She…"
"Rest."
"What do I do… now?"
"I don't know. I will pray that Lyra will come back alive."
"Pray?"
"I know not what else to do. She has gone to the land of the dead Pantalaimon."
"I cannot… see her…"
"Neither can I."
"Asril…"
"What?" Asril snapped. "I'm sorry."
"The pain is… deep…"
"I cannot imagine it," Asril said before he looked at his dæmon.
"Asril…"
"Rest. You are my child. Rest."
The next time Pantalaimon awoke, he went to the door and felt sun on his face.
"You can walk," Asril said as he came over to him.
"Strength is… returning to me."
"Good. Or bad. I do not know which."
"I am… alive… alone…"
"And Lyra."
"I cannot see her."
"I know. She is alone too," Asril said before tears formed in his eyes.
"We care… I… care…" Pan said and Asril started to cry. "Lyra… you are our father. We know that you mean no harm to us."
"I never have. I am sorry about Roger. I am sorry about you. It is because of me that you separated isn't it?"
"She never got to say… goodbye."
"Then I am sorry. Deeply, and ashamed. Pantalaimon. I will keep you as safe as I can, but we are heading into a war. Should Lyra come back alive. … You will be safer with her," Asril said and Pantalaimon looked away. Asril paused, understanding. Then he left.
"Pantalaimon? No," Asril said as he saw him lying on the ground. He knelt beside him and took the dæmon into his arms.
"She's alive," Pan whispered.
"What?"
"Lyra…"
"You can feel her?"
"A little."
"Where is she?"
"She will come looking for me. She… she promised."
"Where is she now?"
"A forest. With Will. But…"
"The knife bearer?"
"There is another."
"Who?"
"I do not know," Pan said before he squealed.
"Pan," Asril gasped.
"Lyra. Our bond… it…"
"What's happening?"
"I need to go to her, " Pan said before he stood up.
"Then go. I will accompany you."