The Book of Dust, #3
The Rose Field
by Philip Pullman
Contents
Chapter Ten: Always Leila
Overview
Leila Pervani facilitates Lyra’s rescue of Abdel Ionides from the nuncio’s palace, orchestrating a narrow escape as the oratory empties. Hidden by the crowd, Lyra outfits Ionides and secures passage east toward Baku. In parallel, Dilyara joins Chen at Tashbulak, restoring the labs and hinting at renewed activity there.
Summary
Leila Pervani confronts Lyra in the nuncio’s cell, identifies Abdel Ionides as “Rashid Xenakis,” and declares she intends to help him despite the Magisterium. Aware that the oratory service will end in minutes, Leila outlines the only viable escape route through reception and warns against the guarded courtyard.
Using a broom as a crutch, Ionides follows Leila up the stairs while Asta scouts. At Leila’s signal, Lyra ushers Ionides through the foyer just as the Angelus ends and worshippers emerge. Leila diverts attention toward the cell, blaming “diabolical” magic, enabling Lyra and Ionides to slip into the street and vanish into evening crowds.
Elsewhere at the ruined Tashbulak station, Chen gains a companion, Dilyara, who methodically cleans, restores, and reveres the laboratories. She organizes salvageable equipment and adapts to Chen’s crude regime, transforming the site into a place of ritual cleanliness and quiet learning.
Back in Aleppo, Lyra buys Ionides clothing and, using Mustafa Bey’s laissez-passer, secures a private compartment on a luxury bus east to Baku. With tea in hand and the city lights receding, Lyra finally asks Ionides to explain Leila Pervani.
Who Appears
- Lyra (as Queen Tatiana Iorekova/Miss Silver)Rescues Ionides, threatens Leila if obstructed, navigates the escape, outfits Ionides, and arranges bus passage to Baku.
- Leila PervaniConfronts Lyra, reveals familiarity with Ionides, coordinates the timed escape, and distracts the nuncio’s people.
- Abdel Ionides (Rashid Xenakis)Tortured prisoner aided by Lyra; hobbles with a broom, trusts Leila’s plan, and flees Aleppo toward Baku.
- AstaPoses as Lyra’s dæmon, scouts the route, urges speed, and helps maintain the ruse during the escape.
- ChenCamel-herder holding Tashbulak; gains Dilyara as companion while his base is cleaned and organized.
- DilyaraFormer cleaner who restores Tashbulak’s labs, revering the work and imposing order beside Chen.