You want to know more.

You are a little taken aback by this information, at the same time you don’t know what this has to do with Thanos, or rather your grandfather, trying to keep you away from your mother's killers. The white-haired man appears to have more to say, so you cross your arms and try to hide your impatience as you gaze down at the old King.

“I met your mother when she stopped by my city in search of supplies for her war against the Eastern threat,” he continues, “She and her fleet were the only thing standing between the Achaemenid navy and a small port town called Deni, which was also only a few leagues away from Masson. The Amazons were outnumbered, but as you know even better than I, the Eastern Empire isn’t known for its naval skills; for every Amazonian galley they sank your mother must have destroyed twenty of their slower less-maneuverable ships.”

You remember hearing tales of this naval engagement from your mother. A Persian **** tried to cross the sea but from what you heard she was defending more than just the small port of Deni. If it wasn’t for your Sisters' sacrifices, the main-land city-states would have had to contend with the Persian navy having a base of operations here on Hellenic soil. The threat ended when the Persians were **** to call off their invasion of the Greek coast so they could rebuild their navy. Not that the inhabitants of Accor got much recognition for their sacrifices, it was shortly after the Amazon navy saved them that the raids on the island's people started to build in size and frequency.

You also heard that the Amazon victory over the Persian navy led to the Achaemenid emperor attempting an overland route through Kalion in an attempt to go around the Amazon fleet. It was the first of a triad of bloody wars fought along the Northern front. Your mother told you after the last attempt was turned back at Thebes ten years ago that she imagined that the King of Kalion wasn’t too happy with Accor after your Sisters inadvertently drove the Persians into his land. King Thanos shakes his head sadly at the distant memory.

“Although she was winning,” he continues, “Her lack of supplies were straining the ability of her fleet to operate. Deni could only offer so much. So, she came to Masson in search of aid.”

“So, what, are you saying that I’m the result of some kind of marriage alliance or something?” You make no attempt to hide the skepticism in your voice. “Amazons don’t marry.” And they don't take mates to self-centered to march to the aid of a neighboring city. You add silently to yourself; Atheas would be proud of your growing diplomatic skills.

“Nor did I want an alliance between our nations,” said Thanos, “Accor was at war with the Persains. I would have been mad to invoke their ire.” You grumble and rub your brow at the man's shameless cowardliness. You still can’t believe that this man is your grandfather, but he goes on without appearing to notice your dismay.

“No, I turned her away the moment she stepped into my throne room,” he continues, “But that didn’t stop her from performing that damn tradition of hers. She needed an heir, her warriors needed to reproduce, and there just so happened to be a tournament in town. She stepped out onto the field and announced that she and her warriors would be challenging the combatants that they felt were worthy. If a contestant was able to defeat her or one of her warriors then he could lie with the vanquished maid and plant his seed in her fertile womb.”

“If they impressed us during our match,” you correct the king angry that your traditions are so easily twisted by men wherever you and your people go. “Amazons look for valor and skill in their mates regardless of the outcome of the combat.”

Thanos grumbles something under his breath but continues his story. “At first, I said nothing, after all the men were very eager to try their luck at bedding an Amazon. Then that damned woman challenged my son to a duel. She thrashed the boy but said that she was impressed by his … fire and would allow him to mate with her… after the war was over. She knew that she couldn’t get me to help her but that dammed boy was so eager to…” He stopped when he realized you were smiling, “I’m glad you’re finding this funny.”

You cover your mouth to try to stow your laughter, “Oh gods. Alright, you didn’t want to keep me away from those three because my mother…” you started snickering before you could finish.

Thanos rolled his eyes and his voice darkens, “Over the past three years, Your Majesty, someone has been systematically assassinating members of my family, even distant relations.”

Your mood changes when you hear this, “My father?”

“He died in a bar brawl ten years ago. Before you declare your blood vengeance,” he adds quickly, “The man who killed him has already been dealt with.”

“I wasn’t going to,” you respond dryly, “So what are you saying, old man? My father is dead and someone is killing off your bloodline, what does that have to do with you keeping me from my duty?” It is only then that it finally dawns on you. Taking a slow deep breath you close your eyes before letting out a long exhale. “Who's left?”

You slowly open your eyes to find Thanos looking up at you with an almost spiteful glance, “You and I are the last of the royal blood of Masson.”