Lois’s answer to “While reading "The Lies of Locke Lamora" I came across a section with the upper class in danger. I …” > Likes and Comments
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"Only on Barrayar, Miles reflected, would pulling a loaded needler start a stampede toward one." That's always been one of my favorite lines in that book. Although Lois has plenty of highly-quotable material. When I read your question this was exactly the scene I thought of, I actually came in here to comment in case you'd not yet found it.
Derek that is certainly the most memorable sentence in the passage, summing up the scene pithily. Yet when I read the quote the sentence that sends a shiver down my spine is "Twenty or thirty men started up from their benches."
These are self entitled millionaires, billionaires and rulers, yet they are willing, even eager to instantly attack an unarmed man with their bare hands, and the fact that so many do so at once makes them all safe. That is an admirable cultural trait, one that would be extremely useful with the "active shooters" of today. The 3 American friends on the Belgian train acted as one to stop a shooter but in many other instances I bet the brave acted alone and died for their efforts.
I like to think that those Vor who were in the front ranks and did nothing were ashamed of themselves and despised by others.
The one that stuck with me was:
Ekaterin: So, wouldn't you have put your life on the line to stop them?
Miles: Yes, but I wasn't putting my life---I was putting yours.
E: But I'm Vor,
M: True Vor, milady.
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"Only on Barrayar, Miles reflected, would pulling a loaded needler start a stampede toward one." That's always been one of my favorite lines in that book. Although Lois has plenty of highly-quotable material. When I read your question this was exactly the scene I thought of, I actually came in here to comment in case you'd not yet found it.
Derek that is certainly the most memorable sentence in the passage, summing up the scene pithily. Yet when I read the quote the sentence that sends a shiver down my spine is "Twenty or thirty men started up from their benches."These are self entitled millionaires, billionaires and rulers, yet they are willing, even eager to instantly attack an unarmed man with their bare hands, and the fact that so many do so at once makes them all safe. That is an admirable cultural trait, one that would be extremely useful with the "active shooters" of today. The 3 American friends on the Belgian train acted as one to stop a shooter but in many other instances I bet the brave acted alone and died for their efforts.
I like to think that those Vor who were in the front ranks and did nothing were ashamed of themselves and despised by others.
The one that stuck with me was:Ekaterin: So, wouldn't you have put your life on the line to stop them?
Miles: Yes, but I wasn't putting my life---I was putting yours.
E: But I'm Vor,
M: True Vor, milady.
"Barrayar's aristocracy still maintained its military tone. Drawing a deadly weapon in the presence of the Emperor struck a deep reflex. Twenty or thirty men started up from their benches. Only on Barrayar, Miles reflected, would pulling a loaded needler start a stampede toward one. Others ran between Vordrozda and the dais. Vordrozda abandoned Hessman and whirled to face his real tormentor, raising the weapon. Miles stood stock-still, transfixed by the needler's tiny dark eye. Fascinating, that the pit of hell should have so narrow an entrance... Vordrozda was buried in an avalanche of tackling bodies, their scarlet robes flapping. Ivan had the honor of the first hit, taking him in the knees."
Lois McMaster Bujold. The Warrior's Apprentice (Kindle Locations 4301-4306). Baen Books.
Lois thankyou for such a great scene, even if you don't remember it.