Remind them why you are here.

Grunting you turn to Atheas, “Remind them of our traditions and why we are here.”

Atheas doesn’t say anything in response, instead, she gives you a slight bow and makes her way over to the young women. When the girls see their general approaching, they move quickly away from the side of the boat and stand at attention. “You know our rules,” she states, “only after the war and even then, only with men worthy of fathering our Sisters.”

“Oh, they look plenty worthy to me,” blurts one of the girls. Her name was Anas, one of your archers. She is the daughter of a northerner with blood red hair and light skin that is peeling from the unrelenting sun. The nonnatives are women who have decided to join the Amazonians either for a better life or because they just found the Amazonian lifestyle appealing. You and your mother have welcomed these women into your lands with open arms however many of the natives of Accor seem less accepting of them. The deep-rooted prejudice against lighter-skinned Sisters is something you've never quite understood as the nonnatives were quick to integrate themselves into your society; granted that has more to do with the curse Ares put on your people transferring over to them.

Atheas doesn't care about bloodlines, but she does care about discipline and focus in her crew. She leans down at the redhead and almost snarls at her. “Most of those mercenaries probably fought for this cursed city, killed your Sisters, and would gladly chain your ass to a bench for their pleasure before selling you to some other man looking to tame an Amazon of Accor.” That might not be a completely fair assessment of the troopers besieging the white-walled city, but then again it might not be far off from the truth either. Atheas steps back and speaks to all of the rookies assembled on deck. "As far as I am concerned, none of them are worthy.”

“But how are we supposed to reproduce?” asks another archer, Phera unlike Anas has hair as black and straight as yours, “We didn’t just come here for vengeance alone.”

Finally, you speak up, “There are other warriors fighting alongside us who are not mercenaries fighting only for gold, plunder and pretty captives to ravish." Atheas nods slowly, and before the young recruits think they have permission to go wild with the men of the United Armies, you decide to make your position on the matter clear. "Even so, I would recommend that you mate with only the worthiest of men. Even within our allied forces, many soldiers are here for foul reasons; the seed of a man more interested in plunder and pillage than his duty will not take root in the womb of a Sister." As you spoke you unintentionally raise your voice, “They are interested only in gold and women, while we are here for blood and vengeance, as our god Ares demands, as our fallen Sisters demand, and as I DEMAND!”

From the bow of the ship the chanting has stopped, and you see fierce grins on the faces of the nine who appear to agree with your passionate reaffirmation of the goals of this venture. Ares' knows that you've had your differences with the Daughters of Lycaon, but there is no denying their fanatical devotion to Ares and their hated of all men.

Before you can say anything else, Thea walks up behind you and places a hand on your shoulder. You jerk your head towards her, your face fuming with fury when you notice the worried look on her face. Her concern breaks you from your growing rage just long enough to feel the chafing on your sword hand. Looking down you noticed that you are grasping the hilt so tightly that the leather squeaks under your white knuckles.

Relaxing your grasp you take in a deep breath and turn to the fearful eyes of the young women. “Once again, no one takes a man until after the war, by then it will be obvious who is worthy of lying with an Amazon. Now stop gawking and prepare the blockade.”