Only the saints would joke so about the gods, because it was either joke or scream, and they alone knew it was all the same to the gods. - Lois McMaster Bujold

One scarcely knows if he would be of more use to us as a hostage, or set loose to be a very bad enemy leader.

Your father calls you to his court. You need not pack. You go garbed in glorious raiment. He waits eagerly by his palace doors to welcome you, and has prepared a place at the high table, by his side, in the company of the great-souled, honored, and best-beloved.

“What do you see in that Barrayaran boy, anyway?” the Baronne asked querulously, dodging back despite Tej’s best efforts. “He just doesn’t seem very ambitious.”
“Mm,” said Tej. One woman’s defect is another woman’s delight? “I suppose…it’s all the things he sees in me.” That you don’t.