[ There's just a little flicker, a narrowing of his eyes, a tightening of his smile. It's a focused, curious, intelligent sort of expression. Byerly, when the mask slips, looks very different from how he usually does - there'd be no mistaking this Byerly for a fool.

The mask is back in a moment. Mildly: ]

True enough, that. And ultimately, Barrayar is full of honorable men. Not the sorts of people who just leave a comrade to die. Do you want me to be saved?