"Yeah, great job of it out here in the snow," Mark says with a little push at Miles' shoulder - though it's a gentle sort of push. And that's a sign of just how worried and shaken Mark is. That, and the fact that Mark didn't leave him in that pile to dig his own way out. Clearly, in Mark's opinion, the situation is dire enough that they need to circle the Vorkosigan wagons and present a united front.

Indeed, when Mark looks at his brother, his expression is grim and intent. "Are you out here avoiding anyone?" No great stretch to guess what he's driving at: he wants to know if any of the Barrayarans are looking at the mutie with any evil intent. Mark - well, Killer - won't be happy to deal with anyone who's a threat, but he'll be damn well willing if Miles' life is on the line.