The Warrior's Apprentice

Miles Naismith Vorkosigan's first task is to conquer himself. After that, the universe will be easy...

After failing to pass the physicals for the Barrayaran Military Academy, the brittle-boned, dwarfish son of Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan refuses to be daunted for long. An ill-advised impulse to rescue others, even if (or is that, because?) he cannot save himself, leads Miles to a galactic adventure that would most definitely not have been approved by his concerned parents, if he had mentioned it to them.

Miles pushes the dictum "It is easier to gain forgiveness than permission" to its limits as a chain of self-inflicted circumstances leads him into a war zone. Where, to his dismay, he discovers it's not a game any more... and the consequences of his attempted chivalry can become a deadly threat to all he holds dear.