The Aeronaut's Daughter

A Journey up the Mountains

(Y/N P.O.V: 

"(Y/N)"," It was Lyra. "I think she's waking up,". My eyes flickered. I saw four heads. Lyra, Will, (M/C) and Serafina Pekala. "You're okay," Lyra's hand slipped under my head. "Try and sit up. It's okay,". My entire body ached as she and the boys helped me sit up. I could feel Aster beside him; his arctic fox fur was soft. 

But Serafina's face was the one I met. "Easy (Y/N)," she ushered gently. "You went through quite an ordeal last night,"

I suddenly felt my stomach twisting inside out. "I was flying," I remembered my wings. But I couldn't feel them. "My wings are gone!"

"Not gone. They have just disappeared," the witch said gently. "They woke up from such a long rest. And now they will appear to you when you need them most,". I was speechless. "I know you have many questions but for now we must keep moving," she said gently. 

Lyra and Will helped me onto my feet. We gently made our way through the woods, climbing up some hills further away from the city. We walked for an hour. We were safe for now. Will sat down...his hand still bandaged. He winced as he sat down. "How's your hand?" (M/C) asked.

"Not any better. You did everything you could,"

"Let me see the wound," Serafina knelt before him. He wouldn't let her touch it. "Please. It will get worse if you don't let me look,"

"You can trust her Will," Lyra promised. Will reluctantly held it out and the witch queen unravelled the bindings. I felt sick. His hand looked half-rotten with disfigured skin.

"Was it your knife that made it?" Will wouldn't answer.

"Show them," I encouraged. He didn't want you. "You can trust her. She's only trying to help," Will handed her the knife and she glimpsed at it with fascination. 

"What does this edge cut?"

Will and I both spoke together. He said "Nothing,". I said the right answer. "Everything,". Serafina handed him back the sheathed knife and took another look.

"Is it bad?" (M/C) asked worriedly. 

"He's not poisoned," We were delighted to hear that. "But this isn't a normal wound. And it is going to take more than plants," she addressed the other two witches. "We need to gather lichens," 

..................................................................................................................

(Third P.O.V)

Lee, Jopari, their daemons and Iera had flown far and wide in the balloon. But now they were soaring over the North. The Pansebjorne longed to be reunited with her mate Iorek but the safety of the girls had to come first. She gazed down below. So much ice had melted forming rivers and exploding more earth and rock that used to be buried under layers of snow. "The seals have depleted. My people are starving. Another thing Asriel failed to consider when he opened that door,"

"We're close," Lee stared out and saw a bright beacon of light in the distance. "There's the doorway. And now we can go through. And find the girls. And then I promise you Iera, I will get you back to Iorek,". 

"With little food here with too much-melted ice, he will have taken the bears further east," she said. "Nevertheless I am going to help you find the girls Lee,". 

"Thank you Iera," Lee said gratefully. 

"You're certain this balloon can fly through it?" Jopari asked. 

"Just make yourself comfortable, Mr Jopari," Lee said to him. 

"Brace yourselves, gentleman!" Iera warned. "We're going in!".