Free Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold Page A

look of surprise came over his face. "Aral! The landing party reported the Betans had killed you," and he stepped, not forward as Cordelia had expected from the tone of Vorkosigan's voice, but back. The disruptor was still in his hand as if he had forgotten to put it away, but gripped firmly, not dangling. Cordelia's stomach sank.
    Vorkosigan looked faintly puzzled, as if disappointed by the cool, controlled reception. "I'm glad to know you're not superstitious," he joked.
    "I should have known better than to think you dead until I'd seen you buried with a stake through your heart," said Gottyan, sadly ironic.
    "What's wrong, Korabik?" asked Vorkosigan quietly. "You're no Minister's lickspittle."
    At these words Gottyan brought the disruptor up to undisguised aim. Vorkosigan stood very still.
    "No," he answered frankly. "I thought the story Radnov told about you and the Betans smelled. And I was going to make damn sure it went through a board of inquiry when we got home." He paused. "But then—I would have been in command. After being acting captain for six months, I'd be sure to be confirmed. What do you think the chances of command are at my age? Five percent? Two? Zero?"
    "They're not as bad as you think," said Vorkosigan, still quietly. "There are some things coming up that very few people have heard about. More ships, more openings."
    "The usual rumors," Gottyan dismissed this.
    "So you didn't believe I was dead?" probed Vorkosigan.
    "I was sure you were. I took over—where did you put the sealed orders, by the way? We turned your cabin inside out looking for them."
    Vorkosigan smiled dryly and shook his head. "I shall not increase your temptations."
    "No matter." Gottyan's aim did not waver. "Then day before yesterday that psychopathic idiot Bothari came to see me in my cabin. He gave me the real story of what happened at the Betans' camp. Surprised the hell out of me—I'd have thought he'd be delighted at a chance to slit your throat. So we came back here to practice ground training. I was sure you'd turn up sooner or later—I expected you before this."
    "I was delayed." Vorkosigan shifted position slightly, away from Cordelia's line of fire toward Gottyan. "Where's Bothari now?"
    "Solitary confinement."
    Vorkosigan winced. "That's very bad for him. I take it you didn't spread the news of my narrow escape?"
    "Not even Radnov knows. He still thinks Bothari gutted you."
    "Smug, is he?"
    "Smug as a cat. I'd have taken great pleasure in wiping his face at the board, if only you'd had the good grace to meet with an accident on your hike."
    Vorkosigan grimaced wryly. "It seems to me you haven't quite made up your mind what you really want to do. May I suggest it is not too late, even now, to change course?"
    "You could never overlook this," stated Gottyan uncertainly.
    "In my younger and more stiff-necked days, perhaps not. But to tell you the truth, I'm getting a little tired of slaying my enemies to teach them a lesson." Vorkosigan raised his chin and held Gottyan's eyes. "If you like, you can have my word. You know the worth of it."
    The disruptor trembled slightly in Gottyan's hand, as he wavered on the edge of his decision. Cordelia, barely breathing, saw water standing in his eyes. One does not weep for the living, she thought, but for the dead; in that moment, while Vorkosigan still doubted, she knew he intended to fire.
    She brought her stunner up, took careful aim, and squeezed off a burst. It buzzed weakly, but it was enough to bring Gottyan, head turning at the sudden movement, to his knees. Vorkosigan pounced on the disruptor, then relieved him of his plasma arc and knocked him to the ground.
    "Damn you," croaked Gottyan, half-paralyzed. "Haven't you ever been out-maneuvered?"
    "If I had I wouldn't be here," shrugged Vorkosigan. He subjected Gottyan to a rapid search, confiscating his knife and a number of other objects. "Who do you have posted as pickets?"
    "Sens to the north, Koudelka to the