James
"Oh. Venasu. I'm not sure how much she would care unless we showed her proof of a major threat. She doesn't care about vampires for the sake of it, and she's likely a worshipper of Hermaeus Mora."

*He thought.*

"Why are you taking me in without some sort or screening... Or really any care into *Who* I am?"
Lidia
"Isran likes doing the screenings." He says with a cackle, "Main thing I care about is whether or not you're a vampire or thrall, and you're showing far too much free will to be a thrall." He says, "A vampire would've been flinching just being *Near* Me. A gift from Lady Merid."
James
"No, she never did anything like that. Doing so would've called into question the loyalty of everyone there."

*He raised an eyebrow.*

"You have no problem with Daedra worship then? How does that go over with the *Vigil*?"
Lidia
"We aren't the Vigil." He says, "The Vigil has little choice but to trust us. It was vampires who destroyed their base, and they're clearly not competent enough to defeat the vampire threat. We are."
James
"Good... Good. It's quite obvious that I serve the Three."

*He looked around, taking in the place.*

"We haven't had proper introductions either, besides earlier. I trained the one you killed last, I was impressed with both performances."
Lidia
"A shame. I gave him a chance to live." He says, he was remorseful, "I am Speaks-in-Tongues, Hunter-Captain for the Dawnguard. Not to sound too proud but I'm one of the greatest hunters here in the Dawnguard."
James
*He frowned.*

"He was incredibly loyal to her. Nothing would sway him."

*He looked at Speaks.*

"I am Zabbamund Sanabasour. Zasana, for short. Former High Ordinator of the New Temple, well *Her* Version. I was her greatest "Field agent". The other was her personal guard."
Lidia
"One of Saint Veloth's followers?" He asks, basically asking *Are you an Ashlander?*, "I can't imagine Lady Idroso will be very happy with you defecting. Especially after my blatant disrespect toward her." He says with a laugh
James
"Descended from Ashlanders. If the name didn't give it away."

*He looked down.*

"She saw it coming. Sending me out, just to see if I would come back. My loyalty was an issue for her, she wants those who would die for her. I wouldn't. I was a liability, if anything."
Lidia
"Well so long as you don't put your loyalty in question with us, you're good in my book." He says with a laugh, "You weren't the one trying to kill me, or bash my head in. You merely stood on the sidelines through the whole ordeal. That whole blood syringe thing was... Bizarre. But it turns out that vampire blood is as reactive to Lady Merid's divine radiance as vampires themselves."
James
"It was sickening to watch. Not... Right. Not at all. My lady Boethiah may be dedicated to Betrayal, deception, et cetera, but I think she would be fine with killing the spawn of her sworn enemy."
Lidia
"I'm pretty sure even Molag Bal is okay with killing vampires. He holds no love for them." He says, "I merely do as my Lady commands. The Dawnguard are my way of showing the world her love."
James
"You seem like the type not to argue with so I'll keep my opinions about Meridia to myself."

*He didn't like her. Didn't hate her, but good deities dont assist slavers.*

"Is there a tour I should be getting? Just make myself at home?"
Lidia
"Everything you need is somewhere in the fort. Mess Hall for eating, Barracks for sleeping, Workshop is built into a cave. So on and so forth." He says, "You'll want to meet Isran soon, though. He meets all the new recruits personally."
James
"He is the leader I assume?"

*He began walking towards the main door to the castle.*

"It seems a bit empty here."
Lidia
"He is, yes. He was the one who brought the Dawnguard back from being just an old memory." He says with a smile, he clearly has a lot of faith in Isran, "Most of our numbers are out on patrol, either recruiting, scouting, or out on the hunt."
James
"I read about the old dawnguard, she had some books regarding Second Era events... But she... Censored much, considering how much of the major Second Era involved the Tribunal. This fort has been here since then?"
Lidia
"I believe it has been, I mean look at it, it's very old, surprised it's still structurally sound." He says with a laugh, "I wonder if she censored the Planemeld, or the Gray Host."
James
"Gray host?"

*Didn't know that one. He knew of the planemeld, but not the gray host, whether it was censored or not. It wasn't, but anything regarding the Triad was a total unknown.*
Lidia
"Sworn worshippers of Molag Bal. A group of Vampires, Werebeasts, and undead." He says, "A vile group. They used the Planemeld as a cover for their machinations."
James
"I've seen... Ritual sites. Remnants of them, like the Remnants of the Dolmens and Oblivion gates. That was them, yes? Something that powerful that it leaves a mark for this long?"
Lidia
"I'd believe it." He says, he hasn't done much travelling, having lived almost exclusively in Skyrim for his life, "Major events tend to leave lasting effects on the world. Much like traumas on the psyche."
James
"Gives us something to remember. As to not repeat past mistakes. Words carry only as far as you bring them... Scars... They speak for themselves. Remnants of past mistakes... Mannimarco, the Mythic dawn... Both made mistakes..."
Lidia
"You can see why we aren't to keen on letting vampires stay alive." He says, "You leave someone with nothing but time... Idle hands are the daedra's playthings."
James
"Maybe..."

*He grumbled.*

"So where is this Isran, anyway?"

*He was back into that voice. It carried better than his actual, softer voice.*
Sherwood
As they enter the main hall in the Fort a stream of pure sun magic glows from the ceiling, any undead caught in it would go up in flames. Thankfully, neither of them are undead. Isran could just barely be seen through the beam, on the second floor, "I'm up here." He says, his voice coarse and rough, he makes his way down to the main floor, "Let's have a look at you."
Lidia
His demeanor changes, stiffening a bit, getting a lot more serious than before, "Sir." He says, saluting, and taking a few steps back
James
*He stood at attention. He didn't look very exceptional at all. Under that armor lied a rather average build, but he was strong despite this.*

"Sir."