Oh? Really? Does Tienius Delitian know that? Did you talk to Aleri Aren? You should tell her that you're House Hlaalu. Really. But don't tell Tienius Delitian. Just tell Aleri Aren.

It's an honor... to serve.... It is my honor to serve King Helseth and Queen Barenziah. That's right. Just what I said. An honor.

You hear folks say old King Llethan was a fool. Well, folks should keep their mouths shut. Maybe he was a fool, but lots of folk are fools. Maybe he had no business being a king, but that's what he was, so folk should show some respect to the old fellow.

What did Tienius Delitian send you to me for? If he wants you to be a Royal Guard, then you'll be a Royal Guard. Nothing to do with me. How do I like it? You think I was born yesterday? My mom didn't teach me to blabber to strangers. So old King Llethan was a bit of a fool, but he was good to me. And King Helseth is no fool. He's got to keep some experienced men like me around. All these new fellows, like you... someone's gotta teach them their business, 'cause they don't know it.

If you join the Royal Guard, you swear an oath to the king. Your loyalty to the king is the important thing. And of course House Hlaalu is loyal to King Helseth.

It is my honor to serve King Helseth and Queen Barenziah.

I'd rather not talk about it.

I serve King Helseth, just like I served King Llethan, and I keep my mouth shut. You want to be in the Royal Guards? That's Tienius Delitian's business, and your business, and none of mine.

He what? Ivulen Irano told you to tell me about your Hlaalu connections? And told you NOT to tell Tienius Delitian? I have no idea what that's all about. Are you sure you heard him right? He's not the brightest star in the sky... he gets confused sometimes. I wouldn't worry about it. I'll talk to Ivulen Irano later when I get a chance. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding.

I see. My ancestors have all been Hlaalu.... But my primary loyalty, of course, is to King Helseth.

It is my honor to serve King Helseth and Queen Barenziah.

What about him? He was what he was. He was the king, and my noble lord, and I served him faithfully.

I've been a Royal Guard all my life, and so was my mother and her mother. I served King Llethan for many years, and now I'll serve King Helseth. Long live the King, and long live the Emperor. It's none of my business, of course, but why do you want to be a guard? You look like you've done well enough for yourself as an adventurer.

I'm not sure it matters. Tell Tienius Delitian.

It is my honor to serve King Helseth and Queen Barenziah. Morrowind is lucky to have him, if you want my opinion.

It is improper to speak ill of the dead.

My father had the honor to serve King Helseth and Queen Barenziah in Wayrest. My family has served the Queen for three generations. I don't know your qualifications, but I presume you've satisfied Tienius Delitian, or we wouldn't be talking.

Tell Tienius Delitian, if you haven't already. It may not be important. But Delitian won't like it if you try to keep it secret.

A great man. And his mother is a great woman. They've had some tough luck back west. But I think that's all over. With his mother to counsel him, I think Helseth will be a great leader here in Mournhold.

Nine blessings for the old man. Pity. But we all come to it in the end.

I was with Prince Helseth back west. King Helseth, I mean. It's an honor to serve His Majesty and Her Majesty. I didn't know we needed any new Guards. But that's up to Tienius Delitian.

I don't think it's important. But you should mention it to Tienius Delitian, if you haven't already. He doesn't like surprises.

King Llethan was a joke king. King Helseth is a real king. I like to be on the winning side, and King Helseth looks like winning to me.

He's dead. He doesn't matter.

I've had worse jobs. Tienius Delitian knows what he's doing. He offered me a position, and I took it. Delitian is a hard-ass, but he's fair. I got no complaints.

That may be a strike against you... but it depends. Some of the old guard Hlaalu are quite upset about Helseth becoming king instead of some Hlaalu noble. But sensible Hlaalu know the future is with the Empire, and King Helseth has excellent Imperial connections.

He's smart. Serious. Good personal touch. He's making a real effort to win over the people of Mournhold. From what I hear, that's more than King Llethan ever did.

He was an old fool, they tell me. Don't know any more than that. Never saw him in my life.

Suit yourself. It's Delitian's call. I like it here. I know Tienius Delitian pretty well, and when Helseth became king, Delitian asked me if I was interested. It's respectable, quiet work, and the pay is fine with me.

Hmm. Nothing wrong with House Hlaalu. Not sure they're very happy about King Helseth succeeding their King Llethan. But no point in hiding it from Tienius Delitian. He's bound to find out sooner or later, so you might as well tell him straight off.

I bet he makes a bad enemy. Hard to tell what he's thinking. But if I do my job right, I know Tienius Delitian will take care of me.

Don't know anything about him. I'm new here.

I don't care. If Tienius Delitian thinks you're qualified, that's fine with me. How do I like being in the Guard? I'm new here, and haven't formed an opinion. But I know and trust Tienius Delitian, and expect he'll do right by me.

Hmm. I doubt someone of your temperment would find the duty interesting. But there's no further need to maintain the pretense.

If people ask you questions about your background and qualifications, play the close-mouthed professional -- tell them to mind their own business. But I'll let slip my concerns about you hiding close dealings with House Hlaalu in the past. Only a fool would share confidences with a stranger. But perhaps we are dealing with a fool.