Well, the world had gone properly mad. There was a big blue hole in the cellar which no amount of pouring dirt over had seemed to fill. So it was a magic crack. And potentially intent on swallowing the entire Howff. Lyra wasn't best pleased with the development.

The cursed island off the bay had got up and walked off, ripping more big blue holes as it went, and now the ocean glowed at night. Would those cracks swallow all the water, too, eventually? She'd love to know!

But deep winter and dark skies were no time to be moving the pups. They were too big now and too many to carry in a blanket, but too small to keep pace over deep snow. Especially Toad, who couldn't even step outside without having a fit of breathing.

So it was about finding those cursed little blue rocks to... what? More magical nonsense, that even The Wisp couldn't explain. Lyra was angry, irritable. Afraid, for good reason.

She trekked down old game trails with only grim thoughts for company, and in the distraction, hadn't noticed the scent of a stranger until much too close to go unnoticed herself. Lyra hesitated. Then reasoned, plenty of loners knew about the Howff, and probably some would come seeking shelter from the storms.

So she barked a greeting, and stepped up to say, Mornin', stranger. Keep walkin' this way an ye'll be in Howff Territory.