Back in the land of the dead

The boat carrying Will and Lyra pulls up at a jetty and they climb out; the Gallivespians hover nearby. Harsh bird-like cries are heard. The boatman rows away. They both comment on how empty and bereft they feel. There is door in front of them and despite their fear they go through it. A harpy appears blocking their way, and taunts them with vicious comments. Lyra tries to tame her by offering to tell her a story but somehow Lyra can’t lie anymore. Will decides he will use the knife to cut through the door. On the other side harpies scream and there are ghosts, and a big grey plain stretches in front of them. Lyra recognises it is like her dream and the ghosts are everyone who has ever died.

Lyra remembers the conversation she overheard between Serafina and Lee Scoresby about the prophecy she is part of. She realises what she must do. She must end death. She must set the ghosts free.

Lyra is confronted by ghost children; they are mourning the loss of their daemons. Then Roger appears. Roger says he has been calling for Lyra ever since he died. She says she knows, and that she could hear his calls in her sleep. Roger explains how awful it is in the land of the dead with the harpies harassing you all the time, reminding you of all the bad thoughts you’ve ever had and all the bad things you have ever done.

Lyra starts telling Roger about Will, how he is her new best friend. Then she stops, because she realises Roger might get upset and jealous that she has a new best friend. But Roger tells her to go on and that it makes him feel alive. The other children gather round. Lyra tells them tales of the adventures that she and Roger used to have down by the river. They laugh as they reminisce.