Two years after the events of The Amber Spyglass, Lyra is living between Jordan College and St Sophia's School when she and Pantalaimon rescue a witch's daemon from a flock of attacking starlings. The daemon, Ragi, claims his witch Yelena Pazhets is dying from a mysterious new illness and begs Lyra to guide him to an alchemist named Sebastian Makepeace in Jericho, who supposedly brews a healing elixir. Lyra agrees, but as they approach the alchemist's house, Pan discovers a witch hiding inside - and Lyra realises that the desperate plea for help may be a trap designed to lure her to her death.