Miles wheezes out a nervous laugh mostly disguised as an emphatic exhalation. He wonders if he could call Ivan or Gregor in here to end this conversation, or at least change the subject. After all, the reason he's taking visitors instead of being able to wander out on his own is general concern for his mental state. Isn't the point supposed to be to keep him from too much stress, or something? But no, he reflects melancholically, not even the Emperor of Barrayar could intervene if Alys wanted to press this line of conversation. Miles rocks back against the wall and fidgets with his sling, pulling at a loose thread.

"Oh, Ivan made it home just fine." True. "The ride back was pretty uneventful, all told." Also true. "And everyone came out if it in one piece." Pretty much true. Mostly. Well, no -- not Bothari, he thinks with a heavy pang in his chest, but he doesn't know if he wants to tell that to Alys right now. He doesn't know if he can.