[If there is one thing Gregor will take pleasure in in this whole farcical affair, it's getting to prove his fears wrong. There is nothing, in fact, to fear from Gregor at all. He is quite the simplest to face of all the Barrayarans here.
It saddens him but does not surprise him to hear him nameless. He knows Miles had tried to convince him of Mark Pierre, but Gregor is committed to his earlier avowal that he would not push him to be anyone, not even a Vorkosigan. He can be Gregor's vassal first and figure out all the rest later, at his own leisure, a gift Gregor has always wanted to give for never having had it himself.
He widens the link to Miles enough just to shoot off one thought, in discrete, clipped packets: You're going to feel something from me, but for God's sake, Miles, stay in the kitchen. This is very delicate and it is going exactly the way I want.
That done, he gently encapsulates the man's hands with his own, like he's holding a scared bird between them. This oath is one he'll have to make up on the fly, unique as it is, but he doesn't hesitate, the words steady and smooth.]
Very well. Repeat after me: I swear the obedience and loyalty of a liegeman directly to Gregor Vorbarra, Emperor of the Barrayaran Imperium, in all sincerity and faith. I further pledge not to harm any of his other liege-sworn, excepting in self-defense, and that I claim all rights and privileges owed any Barrayaran subject, henceforth.
no subject
It saddens him but does not surprise him to hear him nameless. He knows Miles had tried to convince him of Mark Pierre, but Gregor is committed to his earlier avowal that he would not push him to be anyone, not even a Vorkosigan. He can be Gregor's vassal first and figure out all the rest later, at his own leisure, a gift Gregor has always wanted to give for never having had it himself.
He widens the link to Miles enough just to shoot off one thought, in discrete, clipped packets: You're going to feel something from me, but for God's sake, Miles, stay in the kitchen. This is very delicate and it is going exactly the way I want.
That done, he gently encapsulates the man's hands with his own, like he's holding a scared bird between them. This oath is one he'll have to make up on the fly, unique as it is, but he doesn't hesitate, the words steady and smooth.]
Very well. Repeat after me: I swear the obedience and loyalty of a liegeman directly to Gregor Vorbarra, Emperor of the Barrayaran Imperium, in all sincerity and faith. I further pledge not to harm any of his other liege-sworn, excepting in self-defense, and that I claim all rights and privileges owed any Barrayaran subject, henceforth.