Dear Miles,

Your mother and I have decided it is high time I retire so that we can come home and enjoy our grandchildren. I have formally requested to retire, and Gregor not only approved, he threated to request and require that I stay retired this time.

We will be on our way home shortly, in fact we should arrive within the week, in part so that I can meet with Gregor face to face about who should take over here on Sergyar. Whether this will be the trip home for good, or whether another trip back here to finalize things will be needed, remains to be seen.

Please do let Ekaterin and the children know, as well as the staff. But please keep the retirement information quiet until the succession is settled. Oh, and don't do anything to send Ekaterin swearing into the night just as we arrive this time, all right?

Your loving Da

Tags: aral, miles
Current Location: Private study, Sergyar

There are so many things that need to be finalized here. I doubt it would be wise to make it known this is anything other than a visit home, without having the succession in place. Sergyar may keep its people too busy for intrigue, mostly, but it is hardly immmune to Barrayaran politics.

Gregor's note has me worried. And his assurances around my staying retired have me wishing to remind him of the dangers of ever promising "never." Still, I suppose it is possible that these are just the meanderings of an old strategist determined to ferret out all that can possibly go wrong. I wish I could shake the certainly that something will.

Tags: aral
Current Location: Private Study, Sergyar

Dear Captain,

I've heard back from the Emperor, and not only has he granted my request to retire, he has asked us to return right away. It seems Miles is embroiled in some Auditorial mess, and he feels Ekaterin could use our support.

I am going to begin putting things in order here, and hope we can be on our way in a day or two. See you tonight.

Love,
Aral

Tags: aral, cordelia
Current Location: Sergyar

To: His Imperial Highness, Gregor Vorbarra
From: Viceroy Count Aral Vorkosigan
Re: Retirement Request
Sent Via Tightbeam

Sire, I would like to request your leave to retire from the post of Viceroy of Sergyar. It has been an honor and a challenge to serve you in this role, and I thank you for this opportunity. However, I have reached an age at which I feel a strong pull to be back at home, watching my grandchildren grow.

I do not know if you will have anyone in mind to step into this position. If you do not, I have two men to recommend to your attention: Lord Vortwright, Minister of the Sergyaran Interior, and Lord Vorbahta, Sergyaran Finance Minister. I am sure you are familiar with their work, though I have also attached their resumes and my assesment of their performance for your reference.

As I await your pleasure, I remain

Your loyal subject,
Viceroy Count Aral Vorkosigan

Tags: aral, gregor
Current Location: Sergyar

Cordelia's been on me to retire since before we came to Sergyar. Things are well in hand here, now, and it does seem we are missing out on many of the joys of grandparenthood. I ought to speak with Gregor about this, and share some ideas about who could step into this job, though he may already have someone in mind.

I remember watching Miles tear around trying to smash himself, with my heart in my throat and my dear Captain by my side. At least the twins are not nearly so breakable. But playing with a lightflyer?

I wonder if the Count my father felt a similar mix of emotions when Miles pulled some of his stunts. A sort of admixture of fear and relief that it's the next generation's problem to contend with. Of course, it appears that Miles is not anywhere near as affected by it as he ought to be, drat the boy.

I'm not sure I can actually make this brown and silver, but let's see how close it looks.

Also an image or two would be good, if I can cough them up.