The Book of Dust, #3
The Rose Field
by Philip Pullman
Contents
Chapter Eleven: Mount Damāvand
Overview
Malcolm and Pantalaimon reach the gryphon palace on Mount Damāvand after a night flight marked by Pan’s revelations about Lyra’s past and their separation. In audience with Queen Shahrnavāz, Malcolm is tasked to repair a smashed alethiometer in exchange for transport, tying their quest to Lyra’s lost imagination. Meanwhile, Alice and Ben slip pursuit and head for Oxford.
Summary
Through a freezing night flight on Prince Keshvād’s back, Malcolm soothes Pantalaimon, who confesses his anger over Lyra’s philosophical hardening and recounts meeting Gottfried Brande. Pan reveals Lyra’s foretold “betrayal,” their harrowing separation at the world of the dead, and Lyra’s lost openness, renewing Malcolm’s resolve to find her.
At dawn the gryphons converge on Mount Damāvand, a vast aerial palace without guardrails and alive with work. Meanwhile, Alice and Ben abandon a battery truck to avoid pursuit; two men drive it off, and Alice and Ben trek to a road, catching a van toward Oxford.
Escorted inside, Malcolm and Pan adopt the “realms of gold” posture, demanding rest before court. The vizier lodges them in austere, clean rooms served by Darius, a tongueless human attendant. Malcolm notes fuel-less fires drawing from the mountain and dons provided robes, while Pan explains Gulya’s curse and the feared sorcerer Sorush who mutilates captive gryphons.
In a plain, sunlit audience, Queen Shahrnavāz probes their quest for Lyra’s lost imagination. Acknowledging Malcolm as an “artificer,” she imposes a bargain: he will restore a damaged treasure and, if successful, the gryphons will carry them anywhere. A jeweler presents the wrecked object—an alethiometer—crushed and broken, shocking Malcolm and Pan.
Who Appears
- MalcolmTraveler carried to Mount Damāvand; negotiates for rest, presents as an artificer; tasked to repair a smashed alethiometer.
- PantalaimonLyra’s dæmon; shares painful history of Lyra’s betrayal, Will, and lost imagination; asserts status before gryphons.
- Queen ShahrnavāzGryphon queen; probes their quest and commands Malcolm to restore a broken alethiometer in return for transport.
- Prince KeshvādGryphon prince who carries Malcolm and Pan through the night to Mount Damāvand.
- GulyaSmall gryphon attendant; fatigued mediator; under a curse she believes only killing Sorush will lift.
- VizierDignified gryphon official; receives Malcolm and Pan, escorts them, and oversees the audience logistics.
- DariusTongueless human servant at the palace; provides for Malcolm and Pan; hints at geothermal fires feeding the halls.
- AliceEvades pursuers with Ben; abandons a truck as decoy and secures a lift toward Oxford.
- BenAids Alice’s escape; guides through woods by sound and scent; rides toward Oxford.