Chamberlain, huh? Never seen sumone with fangs and claws wears a robe.
“Am Chamberlain, yes.” The Skeksis gave a curt nod to the newcomer. “Lord Chamberlain. Skeksis never seen tall beast. Only landstrider. Tall beast not landstrider. Yes.”
The Chamberlain’s smile only widened at the offer. At last, he could finally take the chance at claiming what is rightfully his. The Emperor’s seat. Oh the power he would have if the current Emperor, Skekso, were to suddenly be missing or killed. This was the perfect opportunity.
“Skeksis threatened, yes. Prophecy. Prophecy make Skeksis fear Gelfling. Says Gelfling will end Skeksis power. Emperor made terrible mistake. Hmmm. Yes.” He lowered his head before tilting it to the side so one eye is always visible. The staff he carried was held close to what is assumed to be his chest hidden under many layers of cloth.
“Ordered Gelflings’ murder. Yes. But need Gelfling to live. Emperor not see. Skeksis want peace, but Emperor want war. Skeksis need new Emperor. Need Emperor gone. Yes.” Of course some of this was half true. Some complete a complete lie.
Well, he asked for a political situation and he got a regicide offer. Great. Cecil listened to the suggestion, trying hard not to emote how blatant the usefulness of it was for the birdthing. “Where d’ya sit on the inheritin’ scale? ‘Cause killin’ an emperor means his kids will want revenge, or his cousins or his relatives. Or other countries..” he mused aloud. “Unless yer his brother. In any case, don’t recommend killing the guy in charge. Better kill off sumone he loves an’ use the grief to drive him off” he continued and began circling the Chamberlain. The skeksis was not the only predator in the room. “Civil war ain’t pretty, just gonna say. Kill the wrong guy an’ yer be rulin’ over ashes”
“Skeksis are eternal.” Chamberlain exclaimed, suddenly lifting his head until he reaches his full height. For a split second his voice had switched to something deeper. Demonic. But it quickly went back to the high pitched one he’d been using.
“Lord Hunter dead. Lord General dead. Lord Scientist lost eye. War very soon.” The Chamberlain slowly turned, following Shade’s movement. He began to speak more slowly, close to how his other half may have spoken. “Skeksis immortal. Do not need heir. Remove Emperor and one of two Skeksis will take place. Yes. Closest seats. Very simple.”
He had to. Skeksil just had to hide that he was one of the two most likely to replace the emperor. He shuffled forward and flicked his scaly tail against the ground. “Do not kill emperor and war will end all. Crystal cease to glow. All things die. Civil war good risk for life of Thra. Yeeesss?”
The shade did not flinch at the demonic voice, after all, not like he used his own either. But the skeksis' proposition was still lacking.
"Yer missing my point. What if the new leader can't handle th' task, what if the war is gonna happen anyway?" he mused and stopped, eyeing the lizardbird carefully.
"Also, will th' loser still be in runnin' fer the seat? In case the new Emperor kicks it? 'Cause, let's say I do it, an' the new guy just... doesn't make the cut? Will ya 'ave me kill the next guy an' the next and so on?" he asked, sheathing his knife to its hiding spot with ease.
"Not sayin' I won't do it, just keeping up my quality control" he stated.
