She had died in combat, having performed a spell that required her nudity, and though Tamara thought she could have chosen to alter her appearance, she also believed Bodicea took a certain grim pride in it.
Bodicea ignored Nelson's embarrassment and instead raked the room with an imperious eye, focusing her attention on Tamara. "War council? Do Balberith's minions rise to attack us once again?"
She raised her spear menacingly to underscore her question.
"I'm pleased to say, no," Tamara began. "It's nothing so terrible as that."
"No demons, then?" Byron interrupted.
Tamara shook her head. "Not that I'm aware of. Changeling babies, I'm afraid."
"Oh, hurrah!" he said, clapping his hands happily. "Then I can leave you in the quite capable hands of Lord Nelson and Queen Bodicea while I return to my composition. I am right in the middle of a very tricky couplet.
