Olivia truly smiles then, and gives Rani a small nod of her head. "It is a shame they never stop to consider who is left behind when they go marching off to war, or they would not be so surprised or insulted. It is their great hope they have something to come back to once it is all over, and yet no thought to who's responsibility that is."

As for the matter of Piotr, well.

"He is not so unmoving in the face of facts and reason. Showing him that your skills are to his benefit, and to the benefit of Barrayar, will mean he cannot argue against you. The difficulty lies in proving to him your value as a soldier when he will not give you the chance at all." Accident is not a way Olivia wants this to come about, for memory provides her with the images of dead armsmen, traitors, and the frightened face of her sister. "On that point, I am open to suggestions."