The Book of Dust, #3
The Rose Field
by Philip Pullman
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Kilkenny Aflame
Overview
Alice undertakes a covert delivery for Hannah Relf, passing a decoy package and a memorized code to David Ferguson, revealing an active resistance network in London. In Central Asia, witches execute a high-risk aerial tactic that destroys the largest oghâb-gorg flock at the cost of three lives, easing a major threat to the gryphon alliance. Tilda reunites with the host, while Malcolm experiences a debilitating aura.
Summary
Alice Lonsdale, living under the name Cathy Hood at the Savoy, receives a postcard summoning her to meet Hannah Relf. In a discreet café rendezvous, Hannah quizzes Alice about her escape and the ORD–Brytsec power struggle, then gives her a decoy parcel for David Ferguson and a four-sentence code to deliver verbatim.
That evening, Alice navigates to Battersea, verifies Ferguson’s identity, recites the exact phrases, and hands over the package. He memorizes the message and dismisses her, and Alice returns to the hotel unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Pantalaimon rides with Tilda Vasara toward the Tien Shan. After a near fall midair, they descend by a hill overlooking the Tashbulak research station, where vehicles and armed personnel indicate active operations. Pan decides to rest and investigate after dark.
The next day, as Lyra and Malcolm fly with the gryphons, a colossal flock of oghâb-gorgs descends. Sala Riikola leads witches in a tight, counterclockwise "dragonfly" maneuver, binding the flock into a single vortex and driving it into the mountainside. The flock annihilates itself, but three witches are killed in the melee.
Prince Keshvād assembles the gryphons on a ridge while the witches tend wounds. Tilda arrives to report. Malcolm is overcome by his "spangled ring" visual aura; Lyra steadies him and waits to ask Tilda about Pan.
Who Appears
- Alice Lonsdale (Cathy Hood)Savoy staffer in hiding; meets Hannah, memorizes a coded message, and delivers a decoy package to David Ferguson.
- Hannah RelfOrchestrates a covert handoff; probes ORD–Brytsec tensions; gives Alice the four-line code and decoy parcel.
- David FergusonRecipient of Hannah’s message; verifies identity, accepts package, memorizes Alice’s verbatim code; claims Agriculture cover.
- PantalaimonTravels with Tilda to Tashbulak; nearly falls midair; observes the research station and plans night reconnaissance.
- Tilda VasaraWitch ferrying Pan; reaches Tashbulak; later rejoins witches and gryphons after the flock’s destruction.
- Sala RiikolaLeads witches in the dragonfly maneuver, binding the oghâb-gorg flock into a fatal vortex; mourns fallen sisters.
- Lyra SilvertongueRides with gryphons; trusts witches’ plan; grieves for the dead; tends to Malcolm during his visual aura.
- Malcolm PolsteadWitnesses the flock battle; experiences a severe “spangled ring” aura; steadied by Lyra and Asta.
- AstaMalcolm’s dæmon; scouts the sky, reassures Lyra, and comforts Malcolm during his migraine episode.
- Prince KeshvādGryphon leader; commands the host, honors the witches, and orders rest and tending of wounds.
- GulyaGryphon who carries Lyra and Malcolm; participates in the battle and regrouping on the ridge.