[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/K76dSzU.png[/img]
Emissary of the Khargat Khanate[/center]

When Rurik had his outburst, the Bey's face was utterly placid. His eyes lazily glanced towards this stranger, and his face betrayed hardly emotion save that of mild amusement. He made this man (evidently the king's uncle; he had heard about this man!) look like a petulant child having a tantrum before his parent. Of course, this was exactly what the Bey had intended to do and he had come prepared for such a reaction. The servants, however, looked on in something between shock and horror. They knew the implications of insulting the Khan or one of its Beys, and from the look of their eyes it would appear that they half expected something terrible to happen. Then they looked to their master, and in a moment their faces became calm as was is. It would seem that here, their master was a very different person indeed.

When Elendin responded with tact it showed him more wise and respectful than Chugo had expected, and in all truth he was somewhat taken aback. Still, the boy hadn't even acknowledged the gift left at his feet. Normally Chugo might have taken that as a direct and calculated insult, though perhaps this young emperor was simply overwhelmed. [color=Gold]"As you wish, so it shall be,"[/color] he answered the emperor's command. Turning to one of his servants, he relayed the order, [color=Gold]"See to it that this is done."[/color] that servant gave a short bow directed somewhere between the Bey and the emperor, then hurried out of the throne room.

He bowed his head slightly in respect, then silently contemplated upon how this uncle was so weak as to not even control his nephew of some eleven odd years. Perhaps the uncle would not prove to be so much as an obstacle to the Khanate's goals as one might have initially thought. His thoughts then turned back to his men, the [i]utter fools[/i] that had evidently camped in the middle of the streets for lack of other orders. He began to weigh the benefits of having them nearby in the first place; they had been a necessary escort and it would be useful to have a hundred good men at his disposal, yet at the same time, keeping a small army outside the city would be sure to be received poorly by some...

Such thoughts were rather brusquely brought to a still when some fool of a knight drew his sword at Chugo and confronted him with even more vitriol than Rurik had. Here, the Bey was genuinely surprised; to threaten an emissary was something that his own Khan would never dare stoop so low as to do. [i]'And they think us savages!'[/i] he thought.

Try as he might, this time his face was not so stoic and a tinge of broiling ire crept into his eyes and became evident in his tightened jaw. Perhaps he had drank too much wine on his journey, though Chugo still retained that restraint uncharacteristic of most Khargats. Calmly, he glanced towards the knight. He thought of the dagger hidden within the folds of his robes, though he was conscious enough to not hover his hand over it. The element of surprise was all that he would have were Bastienne to attack him right then and there. Chugo had received martial training of his own as a Bey in the Khanate's armies, though of course he was an officer and not some common warrior. He knew that this knight would have the obvious advantage with his armor, experience, and sword if it came down to it.

He had been allowed the times to think these quick thoughts while some other dignitary, a [i]woman[/i] no less, made her appearance. She looked down upon him with the same scorn that the others did, an he returned a cold stare for one brief moment. Then the Dieuporteillan knight spoke again, and Chugo found the attention once more upon himself. A rush of adrenaline came upon him; it was here and now that he realized the gravity of this situation. Everything depended upon what he did now, everything from the Khanate's future to perhaps even his life.

Fortunately, Chugo had always had a quick mind and a sharp charisma. Hardly a moment after Bastienne had finished, Chugo addressed the emperor once more with calculated words, [color=Gold]"Having seen this man's display,"[/color] he began, gesturing towards de Warenne, [color=Gold]"...I think it evident to your majesty why I was given such a large escort. Brigands haunt the countryside, and you have seen how many of your subjects will offer us no hospitality or even stoop so low as to threaten an emissary. Nonetheless, no insult was intended and those under my command will be disciplined for any ill acts."[/color]

With that hopefully deflected, it was time to outmaneuver this fool and retaliate in like. [color=Gold]"And as in for [i]his[/i] allegations,"[/color] he started in a louder and more authoritative tone that demanded the attention of all nearby, gesturing once again to de Warenne as he spoke, [color=Gold]"...I feel it my place to remind you that the Khargat hosts in all their strength have supported your father in all of his wars as they will continue to support Your Majesty, and that many a conquest was won by the blood of my people. Similarly, our herders bring the meat that feeds Your Majesty's towns and our merchants bring commerce and exotic goods to the empire. What can he offer you? A few knights, perhaps a mob or two of levied peasants? Our horsemen are second to none as history attests, and our warriors more numerous than his."[/color]

[color=Gold]"The Khan has seen fit to send You Majesty gifts and his regards,"[/color] Chugo went on, reminded Elendin about the bow and horse that he had been offered, [color=Gold]"Whereas this knight has brought you nothing but his dogmatic belligerence. He accuses me of grasping for power here, yet what else is [i]he[/i] doing by pointing that blade at my face and trying to sow discord between your court and between my Khan and yourself? Your Majesty, I think you wise. I think that you will see the wisdom in bringing about a new era of cooperation and friendship between the Crown and the Khanate; let none seek to blind you to the truth or sully my earnest words with lies."[/color]

And now Chugo was confident that he had won this exchange and outmaneuvered the knight in this 'debate' if it could even be considered such, though he was still ever wary of growing too too arrogant in his victory. He knew not what this emperor's temperament was like or how the knight would react. Still, he glanced back to the Dieuporteillan for the briefest of moments and a tingle of mocking triumph showed in his eye. Yet for the rest to see, he remained ever calm. He would let his adversaries look like the angry and uncontrollable fools that they were; he knew that any aggression on his part would only reinforce what Elendin would have surely heard about the Khargats and their supposed savagery. It would be best to prove him wrong and make him question what he knew of the Khanate.

Like all the rest were no doubt doing, Chugo Bey looked expectantly at the emperor, though in his face he tried to show some empathy. It was slowly becoming clear that this boy was being ripped apart by the pressure of this court; Chugo immediately realized that if he could offer the young emperor any calm or reprieve from that pressure, he would be like a father of sorts. Chugo, ever opportunistic, would be sure to try and exploit that trust if ever he could achieve such a status.