http://www.monkly-business.net/forum...ead.php?t=7976
"it might be a rather stupid question, but are you sure you don't have the declaration already? I did it at dubious, and while Chancellor Can_go_to_hell said I wasn't worth to talk to the dain, the dain still chatted and I got the declaration no probs. "
http://tc.spowers.net/guides/guide_rings.php
"Note: You need dubious or better to get either the 9th ring or the declaration of war. I am not certain if sneak/hide will work, it technically should, but I do not know for certain. To be safe, take no Dain faction hits (by killing Dain or his named) until after you have your ring. This means you need to zone out before those kills happen. Killing the dain is a MAJOR faction hit. You can likely survive the faction hits of the others if you need to help your guild out."
I also found a separate post where it mentions you don't even need the dirk, you just say the phrase and it gives you the declaration of war. I don't have it now but this makes sense, given that if you fail the 10th ring you don't have to start all over. I'll try to find it again.