m of running children.

    “No onell notice if ake a look around,” said Lyra. “Itll take em ages to count everyone, and  follo lost.”

    ted till most of t into a loose po random into t all t, and ter covered completely ts of ts trying to regain control, and t of sight.

    t t move quickly, but it didnt seem to matter; no one unnels, and found trange moonscape of regular e under t by reflections from ts around the arena.

    “ we looking for?” said Billy.

    “Dunno. Just looking,” said Lyra, and led to a squat, square building a little apart from t,  at the corner.

    t more distant. Clearly t of t up for as long as t or so off t unnel to connect it  of tation.

    t tice above it said ENtRY StRICtLY FORBIDDEN in red letters.

    Lyra set  to try, but before surn the handle, Roger said:

    “Look! A bird! Or—”

    ion of doubt, because ture s all: it was someone Lyra had seen before.

    “tchs daemon!”

    t  wings, raising a flurry of snow as he landed.

    “Greetings, Lyra,”  see me. I ing for you to come out into t is happening?”

    Sold him quickly.

    “ians?” s off the Samoyeds?”

    “Most of t severely. took you ies of travelers, and alone travel more quickly ty. tians are still a days journey away.”

    taring in fear at t Lyras familiar manner  tle about ches.

    Lyra said to ten, you better go and keep c. Billy, you go t c t come. e ent got long.”

    to do as surned back to the door.

    “rying to ge