A potential poisoning and introducing Lord Asriel

The next scene takes place two weeks later.

The scholars have gathered together to meet Lord Asriel. It is clear they have mixed opinions of him, as arguing breaks out regarding how warm a welcome they should give him. Lyra, with her best friend Roger, desperately tries to push past the gathered professors and academics to speak to her uncle, without success.

Lyra hatches a plan for her and Roger to sneak in to the Retiring Room, where her uncle is meeting the professors and academics, and hide so that they can spy on proceedings. Before her Uncle and the academics arrive, Lyra and Roger see the Headmaster putting poison into a bottle of wine that has been set aside for Lord Asriel. Lord Asriel enters with his servants to check his equipment for his presentation. Once the servants have left and he goes to pour himself a glass of the poisoned wine Lyra reveals herself. She tells her uncle it is poisoned, there is no time to talk further, and Lyra hides herself again as the Master and the academics enter.