Finally Mrs. Coulter said, "Very well, Ill tell you. Lord Asriel is gathering an army, with the purpose of pleting the war that was fought in heaven eons ago."
"How medieval. However, he seems to have some very modern powers. What has he doo the magic pole?"
"He found a way of blasting open the barrier between our world and others. It caused profound disturbao the earths magic field, and that must resonate in this world too.... But how do you know about that? Carlo, I think you should answer some questions of mine. What is this world?
And how did y me here?"
"It is one of millions. There are openings between them, but theyre not easily found. I know a dozen or so, but the places they open into have shifted, and that must be due to what Asriels do seems that we ow pass directly from this world into our orobably into many others too. When I looked through one of the doorways earlier today, you imagine how surprised I was to find it opening into our world, and whats more, to find you nearby. Providence, dear lady!
The ge meant that I could bring you here directly, without the risk of going through Cittagazze."
"Cittagazze? What is that?"
"Previously, all the doorways opened into one world, which was a sort of crossroads. That is the world of Cittagazze. But its too dangerous to go there at the moment."
"Why is it dangerous?"
"Dangerous for adults. Children go there freely."
"What? I must know about this, Carlo," said the woman, and Will could hear her passionate impatiehis is at the heart of everything, this differeween children and adults! It tains the whole mystery of Dust! This is why I must find the child. And the witches have a name for her—I nearly had it, so nearly, from a wit person, but she died too quickly. I must find the child. She has the answer, somehow, and I must have it."
"And you shall. This instrument will brio me—never fear. And once shes given me what I want, you have her. But tell me about your curious bodyguards, Marisa. Ive never seen soldiers like that. Who are they?"
"Men, thats all. But... theyve undergoercision. They have no daemons, so they have no fear and no imagination and no free will, and theyll fight til] theyre torn apart."
"No daemons... Well, thats very iing. I wonder if I might suggest a little experiment, if you spare one of them? Id like to see whether the Specters are ied in them."
"Specters? What are they?"
"Ill explain later, my dear. They are the reason adults t go into that world. But if theyre no more ied in your bodyguards than they are in children, we might be able to travel in Cittagazze after all. Dust—childreers— daemons—intercision... Yes, it might very well work. Have some more wine."
"I want to know everything," she said, over the sound of wine being poured. "And Ill hold you to that. Now tell me: What are you doing in this world? Is this where you came whehought you were in Brasil or the Indies?"
"I found my way here a long time ago," said Sir Charles. "It was too good a secret to reveal, even to you, Marisa. Ive made myself very fortable, as you see. Being part of the cil of State at home made it easy for me to see where the power lay here.
"As a matter of fact, I became a spy, though I old my masters all I khe security services in this world were preoccupied for years with the Soviet Union—we know it as Muscovy.
And although that threat has receded, there are st