In Barrayar, (first published in installments by Analog and then as a book in 1991), Cordelia and Aral are expecting their first child, which Cordelia has agreed to try the “natural” way, according to Barrayaran custom. She steals a ship and returns to Barrayar, knowing that she is voluntary entering a culturally different, feudal and patriarchal society, with strict social mores and values, far to the right of her liberal upbringing. After many battles and machinations common to a universe located in Space Opera territory, Cordelia, back on Beta, realizes the depths of her love - and also the now stifling nature of Betan morals and codes. Of course, they fall in love, amidst the struggle for the empire, and along the way Cordelia struggles to maintain her honor and her morals, while learning who Aral Vorkosigan truly is.

Her base camp is attacked by a Barrayarian, her crew escapes, but she is marooned with one of the most famous of Barrayar’s soldiers, the noted “Butcher of Komarr” - Aral Vorkosigan. Ruled by an emperor, Barrayar is primitive, patriarchal, and flat out backwards in the viewpoint of one of its most famous ladies - Countess Vorkosigan - Captain Cordelia Naismith of the Beta Colony system.Ĭaptain Cordelia Naismith is a competent and respected captain, in charge of a scientific exploration mission (the highest honor for a Betan commander), when she runs into Barrayar in Shards of Honor (1986).

Smack dab in the middle of the speculative fiction universe, lies a parochial planetary empire, somewhere to the right of the Cyteen System in firm Space Opera territories, lies Barrayar.