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"Heh, not a problem," Brandoril said as he pulled out a fresh tunic from his pack and slipped it over his head, "I keep an extra set of clothes, though...Certainly not with a situation like this in mind." He put his armor back on, buckled it tight, and pulled his hood over his head. "Much better. Thank you, Do'Krin."

Dal looked at Brandoril's tunic with the crudely sewn-on hood and smirked.

While the adventurers had tended to their wounds, a crowd had formed around them and the body of the slain abomination. Now, the crowd parted, allowing room for a man to walk through.

He was massive, nearly a head taller than the next closest person, and his dark skin and eyes marked him as a Redguard. His armor was thick, quilted leather, mixed with strips and plates of metal and even wood in places, and he wore it with practiced ease. On his back resided a massive warhammer, decorated with swirling teal glyphs, and at his side was a curious contraption, known by some as a "crossbow". Most notably, however, he was dragging the corpse of the second creature.

With only one arm, the Redguard tossed the body next to its fellow. He waved his hand over it, and both erupted in flames. He then turned to the disheveled band.

"Damn good bit of fighting there," he said to them, with a nod of acknowledgment. "I'm Isran. Any of you ever battled vampires before?"

Gives-Out-Shadow shook his head. "not like that" he said, he encountered them, but not these monstrosities. "I am guessing you have." he blinked and his flame atronach left the realm.

"Wait... were those vampires?" Adrianne said in surprise. "I've never heard of vampires being able to transform into those... things."

"Only a couple times, never by intention," Do'Krin turned towards the Redguard, "Never like these new... unholy beasts."

Isran nodded. "They're called Volkihar vampires. Spawn of Molag Bal himself. They look down on other blood-suckers as 'inferior'. I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but I do know that they're a hell of a lot more dangerous. If you're smart, you either use fire spells or nail 'em with one of these before they get too close." He rested his hand on the grip of his crossbow.

Brandoril bit his lip worriedly. "Can they infect people through bites and scratches, like...Normal vampires?" His thoughts turned to his own wounds, having been clawed and hit by a draining spell.

"Fortunately, no, but they've got a whole other arsenal of tricks to use on you," explained Isran. "Some people they prefer to keep around, so they turn them into thralls - that is, drink a lot of their blood and take control of their minds - but you won't catch normal vampirism from their attacks."

The Altmer breathed a sigh of relief. "So, are you a...Volkihar, was it?...hunter, then? Come to take care of those nasties?"

"Actually, I was in town looking for some new recruits. I'm with the Dawnguard, see, and we need more fighters." Isran rubbed his forehead. "Fighters like yourselves."

"Not all of us are fighters," said Dal, looking up at the Redguard (something he was not used to having to do).

"The Dawnguard?" Brandoril looked baffled. "I've never heard of such a group, even in any of my studies."

Isran looked at Dal. "Can you use Restoration magic? A healer is just what we need, plus I can teach you a few spells to fill out your arsenal." He turned to Brandoril. "It's an ancient organization, founded in the second era by the Jarl of Riften when his son contracted vampirism. Though at first, our task was merely to quarantine the boy, we soon moved on to bigger things. A few decades ago, we were the best vampire hunters in Tamriel - maybe all of Nirn. But then we disbanded. I thought all the Volkihars were dead. But I was wrong. They're back, worse than ever, and they have a plan. We're going to need a force that can fight them, or Tamriel itself may crumble beneath us.

A grin spread across the Altmer's face. Well, I've largely been a causeless rebel up 'til now, but this looks like a cause worth fighting for. "Well, you accept mages, then, but...Do you have any problems with necromancy? Of course, not the variety that involves conjuring up poor sods who've worked honestly all their life, but raising fallen enemies on the battlefield?" He played with flames in his hands nervously. I hope he isn't a close-minded fool.

Irri remembered the attack that had stolen her adopter family, and stranded her in Skyrim, so far from anything at all. Dead Khajiit, burning caravans... And those bloodsucking abominations, eating her friends almost like she and her parents had eaten...

Bad memories. But now, there was an interesting opportunity. Revenge.

"You have my arrows, Isran." Irri said, stepping forward. "If you'll have me."

"I am a healer!" said the Orc, surprised that anyone would take the concept of an Orc that used restoration magic seriously. "And if you think you can use me, I'll follow you."

As J'Kavar came to his senses he walked to Isran and looking up as the redguard was over twice his hieght and asked."May this one ask how many there are?" J'Kavar looked around and then got up onto a nearby barrel so he could be closer to the redguards hieght. "You have will have J'Kavar's help in this, he only wishes that we could destroy this blight... Also where did you get the crossbow? I haven't seen one in many months."

Ra'zhar stood forward after Irri. "And you have Ra'zhar's spells, Isran. I will dedicate myself to destroying these infernal... things." he said, thinking of the monsters that took his brother away.

Anaril looked at the winged being, he found them intriguing.
Those things may be monsters, but they hold such power. Anaril thought, he wasn't sure what to do.
I will play along for now. He looked at Isran and said; "And you shall recieve my spells too."

Adrianne shrugged. "Sure, I'll come with you all too," she said. "I guess I could use an adventure."

Crossing his arms, Do'Krin remained silent for a spell, "Khajiit could use a place to stay," he looked down, shaking his head, and chuckled, "Gzalzi vaberzarita maaszi... this one has Do'Krin's shield."

Gives-Out-Shadow grinned. "I might join you.. for a price." He grinned, then laughed.

Isran laughed heartily. "I must say, I'm glad to see so many eager champions of justice. But I can't accept you just yet - if you're still interested in a few days, head to Riften. There should be a couple of my comrades there, and they can show you the way to Fort Dawnguard, our headquarters. Best of luck to you, and I hope to see you again soon." With that, the Redguard took his leave, passing back through the crowd and out of sight.

Immediately with Isran's departing, the market returned to normal, merchants and shoppers alike going back to their business.

Gives-Out-Shadow stood up shakily. "That was.. anti-climax.." He muttered.