Xar was expecting Bodkin to be outside the door of Queen Sychorax’s room, but Bodkin was not there.
It took Xar a bit of time to find Wish, but eventually he found her running through one of the courtyards, surrounded by all the sprites and animals. She was looking for him. She was carrying a letter folded in half and Xar’s waistcoat.
“Bodkin gave me this letter, but he said I couldn’t look at it until I was with you,” said Wish. “And then he ran off. He wouldn’t let any of us go with him except Nighteye, and he looked so upset… What’s happened? You are still Xar, aren’t you? You haven’t switched back again yet?”
“That’s not the problem,” said Xar grimly. He explained about Queen Sychorax, and Bodkin betraying them both, and Wish could not believe it.
They looked at the letter together. It was written in scribbled, hasty handwriting and it said: