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The Gyptians enlist the help of an armored bear named Iorek Byrnison and head north. By this time, Lyra has learned how to read the alethiometer and it has proved very useful in learning how Lord Asriel is guarded in Svalbard, the prison in the north, and what Mrs. Coulter is doing at the moment. Farder Coram, the leader of the Gyptians, reveals some things to Lyra about her past. Lord Asriel is actually her father, who fell in love with Mrs. Coulter while she was married to another man. Mrs. Coulter gave birth to Lyra but wanted nothing to do with her. Lord Asriel took the baby and put her in the care of a Gyptian woman. Edward Coulter discovered that his wife had been unfaithful to him and stormed after the Gyptian woman and Lyra. Lord Asriel killed the man in the defense of his daughter. As punishment for murder, he was stripped of his title and assets and set into exile. It was then that he began his philosophical research. While traveling to Bolvangar to rescue the children, the Gyptians are attacked by a group of Samoyed hunters, and Lyra is taken captive. They sell her to the Oblation Board at Bolvangar. Reunited with Billy Costa and her best friend Roger, Lyra plans an escape from Bolvangar. She spreads word around the children, and Lyra starts a fire and sounds the fire alarm. They escape just at the time that the Gyptians arrive with Iorek Byrnison and their witch allies, who all wage war with the scientists at Bolvangar and their allies the fearsome Tartar warriors. Finally safe, Lyra and the other children are in the capable hands of the Gyptians.