Chapter Eight , Vodka Summary

Balthamos feels the death of Baruch and is beside himself with grief. Will convinces Balthamos to stand guard over Will despite the loss since it is what Baruch would have wanted. When Will wakes up, Balthamos says he will do everything he can to help Will find Lyra in honor of Baruch.

They travel to a very sad and run-down village where the dogs and the reindeer are thin and unhealthy. Balthamos acts as Will's daemon and advises him on how to behave and where to go. They meet the village priest, Otyets Semyon Boirsovitch or Father Semyon, who explains that there have been many changes in the world, including an earthquake and a river temporarily reversing its course. The priest shows Will a map of their location, somewhere in Siberia. Will wants to leave and get passage over...