Lois Bujold: Barrayar

“What do you mean? They are the opposition, surely.”

“Yes, but they’re the open opposition. No one plotting serious treason would mark himself so publicly. The fellows Aral will need to guard his back from are in the other mob, among the yes-men.”

“Which ones?” Cordelias brow wrinkled in worry.

“Who knows?” Lord Vorpatril shrugged, then answered his own question. “Negri, probably.”

They were surrounded by a ring of empty seats. Cordelia hadn’t been sure if it was for security or courtesy. Evidently the second, for two latecomers, a man in commander’s dress greens and a younger one in rich-looking civilian clothes, arrived and apologetically sat in front of them. Cordelia thought they looked like brothers, and had the guess confirmed when the younger said, “Look, there’s Father, three seats behind old Vortala. Which one’s the new Regent?”

“The bandy-legged character in the red-and-blues, just sitting down to Vortala’s right.”

Cordelia and Vorpatril exchanged a look behind their backs, and Cordelia put a finger to her lips. Vorpatril grinned and shrugged.

“What’s the word on him in the Service?”

“Depends on who you ask,” said the commander. “Sardi thinks he’s a strategic genius, and dotes on his communiques. He’s been all over the place. Every brushfire in the last twenty-five years seems to have his name in it someplace. Uncle Rulf used to think the world of him. On the other hand, Niels, who was at Escobar, said he was the most cold-blooded bastard he’d ever met.”

“I hear he has a reputation as a secret progressive.”

“There’s nothing secret about it. Some of the senior Vor officers are scared to death of him. He’s been trying to get Father with him and Vortala on that new tax ruling.”

“Oh, yawn.”

“It’s the direct Imperial tax on inheritances.”

“Ouch! Well, that wouldn’t hit him, would it? The Vorkosigans are so damn poor. Let Komarr pay. That’s why we conquered it, isn’t it?”

“Not exactly, my fraternal ignoramus. Have any of you town clowns met his Betan frill yet?”

“Men of fashion, sirrah,” corrected his brother. “Not to be confused with you Service grubs.”

“No danger of that. No, really. There are the damnedest rumors circulating about her, Vorkosigan, and Vorrutyer at Escobar, most of which contradict each other. I thought Mother might have a line on it.”

“She keeps a low profile, for somebody who’s supposed to be three meters tall and eat battle cruisers for breakfast. Scarcely anybody’s seen her. Maybe she’s ugly.”

“They’ll make a pair, then. Vorkosigan’s no beauty either.”

Cordelia, vastly amused, hid a grin behind her hand, until the commander said, “I don’t know who that three-legged spastic is he has trailing him, though. Staff, do you suppose?”

“You’d think he could do better than that. What a mutant. Surely Vorkosigan has the pick of the Service, as Regent.”

She felt she’d received a body blow, so great was the unexpected pain of the careless remark. Captain Lord Vorpatril scarcely seemed to notice it. He had heard it, but his attention was on the floor below, where oaths were being made. Droushnakovi, surprisingly, blushed, and turned her head away.

Cordelia leaned forward. Words boiled up within her, but she chose only a few, and fired them off in her coldest Captain’s voice.

“Commander. And you, whoever you are.” They looked back at her, surprised at the interruption. “For your information, the gentleman in question is Lieutenant Koudelka. And there are no better officers. Not in anybody’s service.”

They stared at her, irritated and baffled, unable to place her in their scheme of things. “I believe this was a private conversation, madam,” said the commander stiffly.

“Quite so,” she returned, equally stiffly, still boiling. “For eavesdropping, unavoidable as it was, I beg your pardon. But for that shameful remark upon Admiral Vorkosigan’s secretary, you must apologize. It was a disgrace to the uniform you both wear and the service to your Emperor you both share.” She kept her voice very low, almost hissing. She was trembling. An overdose of Barrayar. Get hold of yourself.

Vorpatril’s wandering attention was drawn, startled, back to her by this speech. “Here, here,” he remonstrated. “What is this—”

The commander turned around further. “Oh, Captain Vorpatril, sir. I didn’t recognize you at first. Um …” He gestured helplessly at his red-haired attacker, as if to say, Is this lady with you? And if so, can’t you keep her under control? He added coldly, “We have not met, madam.”

“No, but I don’t go round flipping over rocks to see what’s living underneath.” She was instantly conscious of having been lured into going too far. With difficulty, she put a lid on her temper. It wouldn’t do to be making new enemies for Vorkosigan at the very moment he was taking up his duties.

Vorpatril, waking up to his responsibilities as escort, began, “Commander, you don’t know who—”

“Don’t … introduce us, Lord Vorpatril,” Cordelia interrupted him. “We should only embarrass each other further.” She pressed thumb and forefinger to the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes and gathering more conciliating words. And I used to pride myself on keeping my temper. She looked up at their furious faces.

“Commander. My lord.” She correctly deduced the young man’s title from his reference to his father, sitting among the counts. “My words were hasty and rude, and I take them back. I had no right to comment on a private conversation. I apologize. Most humbly.”

“As well you should,” snapped the young lord.

His brother had more self-control, and replied reluctantly, “I accept your apology, madam. I presume the lieutenant is some relative of yours. I apologize for whatever insult you felt was implied.”

“And I accept your apology, Commander. Although Lieutenant Koudelka is not a relation, but only my second-dearest … enemy.” She paused, and they exchanged frowns, hers of irony, his of puzzlement. “I would ask a favor of you, however, sir. Don’t let a comment like that fall in Admiral Vorkosigan’s hearing. Koudelka was one of his officers aboard the General Vorkraft , and was wounded in his defense during that political mutiny last year. He loves him as a son.”

The commander was calming down, although Droushnakovi still looked as if she had a bad taste in her mouth. He smiled a little. “Are you implying I’d find myself doing guard duty on Kyril Island?”

What was Kyril Island? Some distant and unpleasant outpost, apparently. “I … doubt it. He wouldn’t use his office to carry out a personal grudge. But it would cause him unnecessary pain.”

“Madam.” She had puzzled him thoroughly now, this plain-looking woman, so out-of-place in the glittering gallery. He turned back with his brother to watch the show below, and all maintained a sticky silence for another twenty minutes, until the ceremonies stopped for lunch. The crowds in both gallery and floor broke away to meet in the corridors of power.

She found Vorkosigan, Koudelka at his side, speaking with his father Count Piotr and another older man in count’s robes. Vorpatril delivered her and vanished, and Aral greeted her with a tired smile.

“Dear Captain, are you holding up all right? I want you to meet Count Vorhalas. Admiral Rulf Vorhalas was his younger brother. We must go shortly, we’re scheduled for a private lunch with the Princess and Prince Gregor.” Count Vorhalas bowed profoundly over her hand. “Milady. I’m honored.”

“Count. I … only saw your brother briefly. But Admiral Vorhalas struck me as a man of outstanding worth.” And my side blew him away. She felt queasy, with her hand in his, but he seemed to hold no personal animosity.