Spies will be Spies, The Alethiomether is Consulted and Iorek Agrees to Help: Chapter 14 of The Amber Spyglass

The GenNEXUS of NERD (formerly The Amber Spycast)

Will and Lyra awaken within seconds of each other and are disappointed to find that the Gallevespians are still keeping watch over them. With the help of the lodestone resonator, Tialys informs Will that the Consistorial Court’s army has retreated, and that King Ogunwe captured Mrs. Coulter and plans to bring her back to Lord Asriel. Lyra checks the alethiometer, making sure that the coast is clear; then the group moves back through the window. On the other side of the window they encounter the aftermath of death and destruction from the great battle. Will is worried about Ama, but Lyra tells him the alethiometer says she is ok. They begin a day of long, hard walking; Will and the Gallevespians are handling the trek well, Lyra is trying to hide her pain and exhaustion. After the Gallevespians check-in with the lodestone, Will applies ointment to Lyra’s badly blistered feet. After another hour's walk, Lyra cries out with joy upon finding Iorek Byrnison. Iorek fills Lyra in on all that has happened since she had gone to sleep, including the fate of Lee Scoresby. Wanting to speak with the children alone, Iorek, Will, and Lyra make their way to the edge of the cave mouth, where Will tells Iorek the knife is broken. Almost instantly, Will calls the Gallevespians out of hiding, confronts them. Iorek meticulously inspects the knife and agrees that the knife can be fixed, however, he highly cautions against it. Iorek instructs Lyra to consult the alethiometer to make sure she understands what she is asking. She is confused by much of what the alethiometer shows her, but ultimately discovers that the answer is yes. Under the guide of gathering wood for the fire, Lyra and Will go off to speak privately. She tells Will that the alethiometer said the knife is to be the death of Dust, but also the only way to keep it alive. It told Lyra that they might die if they go to the world of the dead. Lyra feels that even though it is dangerous, she and Will must go to rescue Roger and Will agrees to the plan.