Imagine a hero whose bones are so brittle that if he punches someone he is liable to break his own hand. Who fails to get into military academy when he breaks both legs on the assault course. Whose parents fought on opposite sides of an interplanetary war. Who as son of the regent of the entire planet
Barrayar has less than complete respect for his superiors. Whose intellect is so sharp as to be positively lethal.
Imagine what happens when he is let loose on the unsuspecting galaxy. Better than that read
The Warrior's Apprentice and find out how he shakes up the galactic political balance, almost gets executed for treason, and gets back into the academy. Also the truth about the mysterious Admiral Naismith and his Dendarii Mercenaries.