"Wished to fight for Barrayar," is Olivia's simple reply. "He fled this planet in order to flee the persecution," just or unjust -- depending on who one asked, "that his existence brings him. And now that he has returned, he wants nothing more than to fight for it. I cannot say whether or not he will be of use, but to fight and die for a planet that has rejected him -- is that no less admirable than you or I, willing to do the same?"

Piotr has never felt crippled or constrained by Barrayar, not in the way she knows that she and Sonia have. But he is no less aware of it in Olivia's case, even if he cannot understand it. Olivia reaches out to brush her fingertips over the knuckles of his hand, fondness seeping into the steel of her eyes. "Grant him an audience. That is all I ask of you on this matter."