The Golden Compass' epic plot is coming to a head in Svalbard with Bear on Bear action, less than Fatherly exposition and lot of talk about Dust.
As Iorek makes his way across the ice, Lyra waits impatiently for him to arrive at the palace in Svalbard. The bears prepare the combat ground with great care and ceremony and Lyra watches as they give the same attention to Iofur Raknison. Lyra feels sick when she realizes that Iorek will have had neither food nor rest for the last 24 hours, and fears that she is unknowingly leading him to his death. When Iorek arrives at the palace, Iofur allows Lyra some time to speak with Iorek to encourage him to fight. Lyra quickly explains the urgency of the situation to Iorek. Impressed that Lyra was able to trick Iofur, Iorek gives her a new nickname: Lyra Silvertongue. Iofur and Iorek fight a long, brutal battle. Iorek feigns an injury to his paw causing Iofur to let his guard down. Seeing this, Iorek makes his move, killing Iofur. Iorek is victorious and is restored to his place as the true king of the bears. He takes Lyra to a safe place where he has hidden Roger where they are reunited. After learning the fate of Lee Scoresby and the witches, Roger, Iorek, and Lyra go to the fortress where Lord Asriel is being held captive and where he continues to do experiments with Dust. When they arrive at his room, Lord Asriel panics when he sees Lyra but calms a bit when he sees that Roger is there with her. She tells Lord Asriel she knows he is her father and demands that he tell her the truth about Dust. Lord Asriel tells Lyra that Dust is what makes the alethiometer work. He tells her the story of Adam and Eve and explains that Dust is another word for original sin, or Adam and Eve’s knowledge of themselves. He tells Lyra Mrs. Coulter thinks that cutting children’s daemons away might keep children free from sin. Lord Asriel realizes that when daemons are cut away, a great burst of energy is released and believes that enough energy is released to create a doorway to another universe beyond the Aurora. Lyra tries to give Lord Asriel the alethiometer, but he refuses it. Utterly bewildered, Lyra sits speechless by the fire as she watches Lord Asriel leave the room.