"You're lucky he's here at all. He could just as easily have left, now that he's stepped down - and for all we know, he may choose to do so at any time. If you don't move quickly now, you may lose your chance." He lowered his voice, pouring out a vial of something dark and sticky. "I'm sure you can imagine how displeased the Dark Lord would be."
He took no pleasure in pointlessly attempting to frighten him, however. And this line of conversation could only tell him so much he didn't already know. "You also know I have a very vested interest in ensuring that no harm befalls you, even at his hand. If there's anything I can do to speed along your endeavors, you should tell me. You needn't explain yourself, if you still feel so strongly about keeping me out of it."