[ The assertion that Gregor holds all the cards, for whatever reason, calms Mark a little. Who knows why. It ought to be frustrating, being once again powerless, but instead, it just makes him feel like he didn't come out badly in the negotiations. It makes him feel less like a fool, reminding himself that he was outnumbered and outmaneuvered and still came out of it with life intact, sheltered by the Barrayaran Imperium. Not cowardice - intelligence.
It feels like cowardice. There's a sudden sharp spike of anger, hot enough to bleed over in spite of the tightly shut-off link. What does he owe Ser Galen, anyway? He's not loyal to their cause. He doesn't care about their cause. He was conscripted without ever being consulted.
Why should he feel guilty?
He speaks evenly enough, in spite of his emotional turmoil. ]
You say that like trust is a thing that has to happen. I could have walked away.
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It feels like cowardice. There's a sudden sharp spike of anger, hot enough to bleed over in spite of the tightly shut-off link. What does he owe Ser Galen, anyway? He's not loyal to their cause. He doesn't care about their cause. He was conscripted without ever being consulted.
Why should he feel guilty?
He speaks evenly enough, in spite of his emotional turmoil. ]
You say that like trust is a thing that has to happen. I could have walked away.