A captivating episode from the universe of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust, offering us an exceptional insight into this world and its characters. When Lyra studies at Oxford University, she discovers the story of Lee Scoresby's first encounter with Iorek Byrnison, many years ago, along with much evidence of the adventure that united them. She discovers that when the young Texan aeronaut Lee lands at the port of an Arctic town, he has no idea he is about to become involved in a war between the town's inhabitants and the massive Arctic bears that also live there. And when Lee meets one of these bears for the first time - Iorek - they seal a friendship that will continue throughout their lives, as tensions in the town threaten to erupt... Another wonderful story from a master storyteller, featuring beautiful illustrations and maps.