[@SpookySquid] [color=lightgray][i]"Aaahhhh yes... You may trust this man, he is an old friend of mine. And no need for the formalities. I may be Macheel's brother but even he would be humbled!"[/i][/color]

Eyeing the guard carefully Chuck turned his attention back to Mateel. [color=ed1c24][i]So, a second son clutching at power where he can. Interesting...[/i][/color] he thought, weighing up the options Chuck quickly devised a plan before proceeding. [color=ed1c24]"My lord, in truth it is only merry coincidence which brings me to your halls. I happened to have been accosted in the street outside this very establishment by some green-skinned thug and while fighting him off you brave guards chose to step in and assist me,"[/color] as he spoke Chuck gestured over in Craleeti, never looking away from Mateel as he continued, [color=ed1c24]"At the time I thought they were simply interfering but now I see fate's hand at work."[/color]

Pausing for a moment to let the words sink in Chuck watched Mateel's expression carefully to see if the rhetoric was succeeding. [color=ed1c24]"My business here was to be with your brother and I represent a patron whose name I'm not at liberty to divulge, but I'm sure a man of your social grace would be able to guess,"[/color] Chuck smiled ingratiatingly, hoping the fool would fall for the old Emperor's New Clothes trick, [color=ed1c24]"My orders were to provide your brother with counsel and guidance to help him break the rebellions and civil disobediences which have plagued your country since you... annexed it from the goblins."[/color]

Taking a step closer Chuck reached into his bag an pulled out the glass eye, holding it with exaggerated caution as though it were some holy relic, [color=ed1c24]"As a sign of my patron's good faith he sent with me this bauble, whose importance he assured me any great man of worth would understand. It was to act as my passport and proof of identity for your brother, as I hope it will do for you."[/color]

Reaching out Chuck placed the eye down carefully on the edge of Mateel's desk before stepping back, once more dropping down into a bow. With his outstretched arm he discreetly slipped the stolen dagger into his palm, making sure to keep the act hidden from Craleeti's sight as he readied the weapon to be used should his ruse fail.