"From my experiences in the camp, it seems that much of the Barrayaran survival depends on those Betan supplies that Xav scrounges up," Byerly comments, idly examining his fingernails. He shakes his head. "I assume you've tried to send some message to him about holding his daughter hostage? My impression of the man is that he's quite a lot softer than either Vorkosigan or good old Dorca." See, see, she has value - the fact that Piotr won't surrender to get at her doesn't mean she doesn't have value. "Betan sensibilities, you know."