Act One

In Geneva, the PRESIDENT announces to the gathered clerics that LORD ASRIEL is preparing to destroy THE AUTHORITY. They fear the subtle knife, which they now believe exists and that it threatens to destroy The Authority if put in the wrong hands. LORD BOREAL arrives, announcing to the sceptical clerics that he has obtained LYRA's Alethiometer, and that the subtle knife will come into his possession that evening when Lyra and WILL return to exchange it for the Alethiometer. The Alethiometer has revealed Lyra's secret name to BROTHER JASPER, which is circulated on a piece of paper among the clerics. They realise that Lyra will bring about the triumph of Dust, and result in the Church having to live eternally under the burden of sin. Lord Boreal is charged with the task of killing Lyra and Will before they reach Cittagazze (where they will be untouchable) under the promise that he will be absolved of responsibility. DR SARGENT reveals that it may be possible to eliminate them at Cittagazze and is given permission to prepare a laboratory.

In Oxford, Will plots to retrieve Lyra's Alethiometer from Lord Boreal, despite being injured after the fight to win the subtle knife. He steps through Cittagazze and into the study, where Lord Boreal and MRS COULTER are awaiting Lyra's return. Lyra throws stones at the window to divert their attention from Will, who is going to steal the Alethiometer back. To Mrs Coulter's surprise, Lord Boreal pulls out a revolver; a shot is fired into the air, and the GOLDEN MONKEY knocks him to the ground. Will grabs the Alethiometer and, exhausted, jumps back into Cittagazze. Afraid of the SPECTRES, and realising that his life is in danger if he does not get the knife, Lord Boreal agrees to accompany Mrs Coulter in pursuit of Will and Lyra.

Lord Asriel reprimands himself for failing to get the subtle knife and, with the urging of STELMARIA, commands LORD ROKE ( A GALLIVESPIAN) to send two spies to Geneva to report back on the Church's plans to find the knife, their military preparations and anything involving Lyra.

While Will is resting in Cittagazze, PANTALAIMON tries to persuade Lyra to look into the Alethiometer for information about Will's father. She refuses and so keeps her promise to Will. SERAFINA finds Lyra with Will and explains that witches don't trust men: mortals die too quickly and break witches' hearts. Her own love for Fader Coram followed this course. Serafina promises to protect Will as they will protect Lyra. Lyra is persuaded to consult the Alethiometer and it sends them to the Blue Mountains.

At the tower in Cittagazze, Mrs Coulter and Lord Boreal feed GIACOMO PARADISI's daemon to the Spectres in order to win them over. They persuade the gathered children to lead them to Will and Lyra.

The witches, Lyra and Will rest on their way to the mountains. Will believes that daemons exist, unseen, in his world. He explains that his fighter instinct grew out of protecting his mother and that, although he could never be a soldier like his father, he feels he should follow in his footsteps. RUTA SKADI arrives. She sees Will and recognises something familiar in his eyes that Serafina tells her to ignore. Suddenly PIPISTRELLE sees JOPARI flying in a balloon, chased by two zeppelins from the Church. One is destroyed by lightning, and Jopari escapes to safety. Ruta Skadi becomes angered that she will never escape Jopari.

Continues…