Will and the bears

Due to their intrinsic bond Balthamos can sense when Baruch has died and flies into a passion of sorrow, disappearing and leaving Will alone.

Bears appear out of the mist. The bears are hungry and consider Will a tasty option. He has to act fast and he challenges them to a duel. The leader of the bears says this is ridiculous as they could crumble him with ease. Will asks the bear to give him a piece of his armour, which the bear does, and Will slices it with ease with the Subtle Knife. The bears withdraw; no normal knife can cut through their armour.

Will explains that he has heard of a bear who he can trust, called Iorek Byrnison, and Iorek reveals himself to Will. Will tells Iorek that he is going to rescue Lyra.

Iorek explains that since the explosion, (caused by Lord Asriel) the bears have lost their hunting ground and they are travelling in search of a colder climate.

At that point Balthamos returns to guide them forwards to the cave.