(Third Person Point of View) 

For the next hour, the two pairs exchanged stories of their adventures, sharing everything that had happened in the twenty-four hours they had been apart. Will and (Y/N) were flabbergasted to learn that someone had been spying on them and their families for years. And Lyra and (M/C) felt like they were suffering from a heart attack when they shared the story of a crazy kid trying to kill them and slicing off Will's hands. Lyra became very nervous for (Y/N) who became paler every minute as she noticed more of her hair was turning as silver as stars. She and Will had yet to tell (M/C) the truth of how he came to be in; he needed to know. 

"Giacomo said that you were brought here to be protected from a powerful force that only this knife can destroy," Will explained. "And he told us that it was our duty to protect you and return you to where you belong,"

(M/C) was befuddled. He was pale. "All this time...I thought I was abandoned. Does this mean...I have a family?"

"Of course, you do," Lyra comforted him. "Did Giacamo tell you guys which world he's from?"

"No. All he said was to find 'the man with the scar across his face'," (Y/N) answered. "That's all he said. He said he'd guide us to that world,"

"If we're gonna find him and your father Will...we've got to get the Alethiometer back," said Lyra. "Without it, we're screwed,"

"This is all my fault," lamented (M/C).

"No. This is my fault. I ignored the Alethiometer's warnings," said Lyra. She looked at the other two, particularly (Y/C) apologetically. "It's my fault, you guys were forced to go to that tower and get that knife," 

"It doesn't matter what happened. What matters is what we do now," said (Y/N). "As long as we've got each other, there's nothing we can't do. We'll get the Alethiometer back together," 

"First we need to look at your hand," said (M/C). He tried to reach for Will's hand but he pulled it back.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"If we don't do something soon, it could get infected,"

Will reluctantly allowed him to hold his hand and undo his bandages. He cringed seeing his chopped fingers. (Y/N) held his hand to comfort him. 

"What you need is a warm bath. There are some shops around town where I can get ointments,"

"I can do it if you want," offered Lyra. She could tell he was still rather pale from the revelation. 

"No. I want to do it. Just to get my mind off things. You girls draw Will a bath. And remember Will, don't whatever you do put your hand in the water. I'll be back soon," he left the shop silently. The three knew he needed some time alone. It had been hard for the knife-bearer to tell him the truth but he deserved to know. 

Lyra pulled out an old bathtub from the storage rooms and (Y/N) collected buckets of hot water before adding the soap in. Soon after Will was out of his clothes and he was bathing in the lovely water, the two girls sat together making some dinner for everyone. Lyra noticed (Y/N) looked rather upset. "You okay?"

"Not really," she lamented. 

Pan purred seeing Aster looking so upset too. 

"We'll figure out what's wrong with you," Lyra promised.

"I feel like a freak. When I looked at the knife's blade, I found myself back in that awful cage..." (Y/N)'s hand went to her chest; she was pale as a ghost as she remembered that awful night. 

Lyra pursed her lips remembering her horrible mother who had done that to her. "Come here," she pulled (Y/N) into her arms, rubbing her back. "It's okay. I'm here,"

"I miss my dad, Lyra. Now more than ever,"

Lyra sniffled. "Me too. I miss him. And Iorek. And Iera. And Coram and Ma Costa. I miss everyone,"

"Do you ever wonder what life would have been like...if you hadn't come to Texas that day?"

Lyra nodded. "We can't change the past. Like you said it doesn't matter. What matters is what happens now," 

She let go and clasped her shoulders, making (Y/N) feel safe as she was talking to a sister. "We're going to get through this together. All of us," 

(Y/N) blinked and wiped her tears away. Roger purred and she bent down to stroke his head. "He's so cute. Maybe we can find out where he's from too,"

Lyra stroked him as well and then Pan and Aster played around with his trunk. "Why don't you bring up some towels to Will? (M/C) should be here any minute now and he'll need a hand with the ointment," 

(Y/N) grabbed some towels and went up the stairs, turning around mid-way so she was walking backwards. She heard splashing behind her. "Don't worry Will. It's just me. I'm just bringing towels. I'm not looking," she promised. 

She tossed them behind and sat down on the stairs, her back to Will. He glanced at her, holding his wounded hand. "I'm so sorry Will," she had never felt more guilty in her life. He had been injured, stripped of two fingers because he was willing to put his life on the line to protect her from that boy. 

"It's not your fault," he said. 

"Thank you. You saved my life. I think I know why the Alethiometer told Lyra that you were connected to this place. It must be because of that knife because you were chosen to be its bearer,"

"But why?" Will wondered. "Why me?"

"Because of the person you are," said (Y/N) wholeheartedly. "You're kind and good...and you're never afraid to put your life for others. Like you did me and Aster. You're a wonderful person, Will. 

"That means a lot coming you," he said. 

Downstairs, Lyra awaited (M/C). She saw him enter through the door, face hung slightly. He carried pots and little bags of herbs. He sniffled. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he brushed off. He grabbed some herb mashers and started to compress some medicinal leaves together. As a master deceiver herself, Lyra knew he was trying to conceal his turmoil. 

"You know you can always to me," she comforted. "Please...don't bury it," 

(M/C) stopped what he was doing. He didn't look at her. He just slumped down on a seat and spoke. Lyra listened in closely. "All these years...I thought I was just a child nobody wanted.  I've been...confused...and...alone...and..." he began breathing in and out a little frantically. "now...I don't know what to believe. I don't know...who I am now," 

"I know it's a lot to take in," said Lyra. "When I realised my parents weren't dead and that they were right in front of me the whole time...I felt really confused too. I felt lost...like I didn't know who I was anymore. But then I realised it's not my origins that defined who I am. It is the person I chose to be. You get to decide who you are (M/C). No one else does,"(M/C) sniffled and looked at her, seeing the kindness in her eyes. "Come here,"

When Lyra pulled him into a hug, (M/C) felt the warmest feeling anyone could possibly feel when being comforted by someone who cared deeply for them. He hugged Lyra back, feeling as if she was someone else. "Thank you, Lyra," 

They pulled apart and Lyra helped him with the rest of the ointments. They mixed some water and serums together until they made an ointment for Will's hand. They walked slowly upstairs and they saw he was sitting on one of the beds, all dressed, (Y/N) comforting him. 

"I'm not gonna Will," began (M/C). "This will sting. But you have to trust me," 

Will nodded. (Y/N) gently lay him down. She then sat on one side whilst his hand with mutilated fingers was on the other side facing Lyra and (M/C). She held his free hand. Lyra had a damp cloth pressed over his feverish head and (M/C) gently held his hand. "Ready?" 

Will nodded. 

"Three. Two. One," he damped the ointment over Will's fingers and he bit his tongue to keep his screams of pain trapped in his throat. Lyra kept him cool whilst (Y/N) squeezed his other hand, keeping him calm. 

(M/C) gave it some more damps and eventually the blood was cleaned and he wrapped Will's hand in some clean bandages. It would be good for the time being. He sat at the bed, sipping some warm tea which Lyra had made. "Thank you," he said. 

"When did you learn how to do that?" asked Lyra curiously.

"When you're alone with only a cat for a lot of your life...you tend to observe things from other people," said (M/C) simply. "Still it did the trick,"

"If we're gonna find Will's father and bring you back to where you belong (M/C)...we need to find a way to get the Alethiometer back," said (Y/N). 

"And we need to find out what's happening to you (Y/N)," added Lyra. 

"That's not important,"

"She's right (Y/N). Something horrible could be happening to you and if we don't find out what it is soon..." (M/C) didn't feel like finishing. 

"We'll do it but you and Will's father have to come first," 

"I think I know a way to get the Alethiometer back," spoke Will quickly. "Latrum doesn't know that we know he tricked us. We could use that to our advantage," 

"You're right Will," agreed (Y/N). "I could keep him distracted. While I keep him distracted, you guys can search for the Alethiometer. Will can cut a window and you guys can slip in and out,"

"No way are you doing that," disagreed Lyra. "I'm not letting you face Latrum alone,"

"It's the only shot we've got," 

"She's right (Y/N). It's too risky," agreed (M/C). 

"I'm going with you," said Lyra. "It's my fault we're in this quagmire,"

"No. It should be me. It's my fault Latrum got his hands on you and the Alethiometer" said (M/C).

"You're too important to be put in danger like this," 

"Are you two sure about this?" asked Will, not wanting them to be in danger like this. 

"We'll be fine as long as we stick together," said Lyra positively. "Right now we should get some sleep,"

The others agreed. They were well tired and they needed all the rest they needed for their plan of action the next day. 

"I really want to thank you guys," said (M/C) gratefully. "Even though I screwed up and I haven't been the friendliest person...you all still accepted me and...you all want to help me,"

"You're one of us now," supported Lyra. 

"Friends stick together," said (Y/N) reassuringly. "And we promise you we will help you find the place where you belong,"

"Thank you," since losing Lia, (M/C) hadn't for one moment thought he would find true friendship with anyone. But these three kids cared for him in a way no one had ever done before. Loyalty and generosity were the greatest gifts a friend could give. And he wanted to repay it back. "First we find your father Will and find out what's happening to you, (Y/N). I can wait as long as I need to,"

The children departed to bed. Will took the bed he had laid on for his treatment. Lyra, (Y/N) and their daemons went upstairs to their beds. And (M/C) lay on a comfy sofa with his cat Lion who cuddled close to him like a teddy bear. Roger lay on a soft pillow near his dropped hand. He curled his short trunk around him and then fell asleep. The house was quiet. And while the children all slept, dark spectres scoured the sour hair outside. 

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

Many shamans had gathered together for a ritual. Iera, Lee and Hester sat by as they watched Jopari being given a farewell celebration by the friends he had made. They would miss him greatly. They knew though that this journey was one which he had to take. They watched as he waved his goodbyes after gathering his items and pulling on his colourful shaman coat. They awaited him on the outskirts of the village and watched as he approached them. 

"I'm sorry it's hard saying goodbye," apologised Lee. 

"They all know this is a journey I must take," said Jopari. He glanced curiously at the big female polar bear. He hadn't quite had the chance to properly meet her. 

"I am Iera Byrnison, young shaman," 

"Such a pleasure to meet you. I've never once encountered a Pansebjorne in the time I've been here in this world. Still, it is such an honour to meet you," he bowed politely. 

Perplexed by his act of respect, Iera just bowed back. "We must press on," she spoke. "We've got a long journey ahead of us. I will scout ahead for any soldiers," she turned and galloped ahead in front of the two men and their daemons. 

Noticing the confusion painted on Jopari's face, Lee realised he had something to say. "I'm sort of a wanted man around these parts. Probably should have mentioned that. Let's just hope when we find my balloon again, we have the wind on our side,"

"You leave the winds to me," the two men followed the river, pursuing Iera by her tracks. 

The hours passed by very quickly and the sun was already starting to set. The young polar bear arrived back at the pace of a fast horse. "Soldiers are scouting the South but the balloon is still safe. Let us hope your shaman powers help us, Mr Grumman,"

"Please...just Jopari," insisted the middle-aged man. Iera led them through the trees and to Lee's luck the balloon was safe and sound. He prepared the balloon, tightened the cables and once everyone was loaded, he closed the hatch. The gas was pumped into the balloon and in minutes the four were levitating high above the land and then over the sea. 

Iera observed Jopari. His hood was over his head. His eyes were closed. And his fingers tattooed with symbols were twitching very strangely. As she and Lee observed him, they felt a sudden surge of wind blow into their faces. And before they could even react the balloon was soaring at a fast pace across the sea. Jopari's osprey daemon flew into the air, wanting to feel the wind in her wings. 

"Wahoo!" Lee cheered.

"You are one strange man Mr Jopari," complimented Iera. "But you sure know how to make a balloon fly at the speed of the wind,"

"Hang on girls. We're on our way!" Lee cheered. They were going to find Lyra and (Y/N). They were going to find this knife and the Knife Bearer. And they were going to help Jopari fight the upcoming war which Asriel saw ignite. 

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That's another chapter done. I hope you all enjoyed it. Now that I'm taking a break from my Dragon Prince Story for a while. I will be focusing on this story now that all three seasons are out. Please send ideas on what you would like to happen in the next episodes. See you all soon with the next one.