Far from being annoyed by or distressed by the quip, Byerly actually seems cheered. His face brightens a touch, and his shoulders relax, and the sardonic tilt of his eyebrows increases. "Dear man, a Vor's blood is like love itself," he replies. "The quantity of it out there in the universe does not diminish its value. No, no, the more Vor the better - or at least that is what my fecund cousins seem to believe. God help us."

A little sigh, then he addresses what the man is probably actually interested in. "But yes, they all arrived in the Barrayaran camp. Ma reine and her shambolic knights. I didn't realize you were amongst their number."