Ivan Vorpatril

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Ivan Vorpatril is a character in Lois McMaster Bujold's sci-fi series, the Vorkosigan Saga. He is the cousin of Miles Vorkosigan and very often serves as Miles's workhorse, helping Miles whenever he is required.

Taken from its original location as a sidebar to Miles Vorkosigan

No description of Miles is complete without describing Lord Ivan Vorpatril, also known as "That Idiot Ivan" or "Ivan, You Idiot". Ivan is Miles' cousin, foil, burden, workhorse, and until Miles has children, his formal heir. He is everything Miles is not - tall, handsome, and athletic. He waltzed into the military academy and waltzed right back out into one plum posting after another. He inhabits any uniform - even the Dendarii's - like a second skin. To Miles' horror, Ivan made Captain before him, a situation made infinitely worse when Miles was forced to resign his commission. Miles was forced to foil a treasonous plot in order to give Emperor Gregor a reason to promote him retroactively. In the event he got more than he expected. (Memory)

Although not an heir to a Countship, Ivan is addressed as Lord Vorpatril, rather than Lord Ivan (non-heir in a Count's Household) or just "Vorpatril", presumably because of his descent from an Imperial daughter, though he provides much amusement for Count Falco Vorpatril, Ivan's distant uncle. He owes his life to Cordelia Vorkosigan, who rescued newborn Ivan and his mother Lady Alys from plotters who killed his father during Vordarian's Pretendership. He was brought up with Miles as a virtual foster brother, and understands him better than any other person his age. He provides muscle and speed that Miles lacks. He is frequently the go-between for other characters who encounter Miles. He complains that he is Miles' "donkey" but follows where Miles leads. While seeming less intelligent than he ought to be, he has stated that looking too smart is a bad idea if you are a potential heir to the Empire, being third in line after Count Aral Vorkosigan and Miles. Lately he has been developing his own story, and was instrumental in scuppering Miles' plot to woo Ekaterin by stealth.