Ivorio stopped as Magaret began to speak, leaning down to listen. As he processed herwords, he began to realize, “So, we’ve gotta get you off the ship then...others?” Getting back up and looking around the dawnlit sea, he spotted a ship in the distance, the white sails alerting him to who it was immediately. Knowing full well they’d be recognized, Ivor prayed for escape, but he doubted the slave ship could go any faster. He’d have to aim for something else, as fighting off Marines was going to be unlikely, and jumping in the rowboat was quite risky. Dara seemed kind enough, but Ivorio didn’t know her, thus couldn’t trust her when it came to diplomacy.

Looks like he’d have to try it himself, and pray he didn’t get shot to death before he got a word out.

As the Marine boat pulled up closer, Ivor quickly dropped Margaret behind the helm, where she wouldn’t be seen, hopefully, though he made sure she was close enough to hear on the chance that she got better. As he went back out, he heard a call from outside, a strong voice shouting at the old slaves, “You there! Where’s your captain?”

Stepping back outside, Ivor grumbled, “No captain here. Well, at least not one of this boat.”

As he came into sight, he saw a bearded Marine Captain, the man known as Muscovy, ask, “What business do you...you! Fontaine!”

“The one and only,” Ivorio sighed, arms motionless at his sides.

Hopping onto the deck, he was followed by his second in command and a troop of soldiers, who cautiously moved to surround, Ivorio doing nothing. Muscovy ordered, “Why do you return after having slipped through our grasp?”

“A series of unfortunate events, really,” Ivorio shrugged. He continued, “I learned some neat things about Lebara though. How much do you think is going on right under your nose?”

Muscovy’s brow furrowed, the man looking on inquisitively. Barbary jumped in, shouting, “What do you have on this ship?”

“Slaves, l-” Ivorio began, looking at Barbary suspiciously.

The man raised his gun, letting out a cry of forced horror, “Slavery? You monster!” Ivorio’s eyes widened as the man fired, the pirate ducking out of the way and making to flee. As the other Marines got their bearings, Ivorio scampered off, the slaves at the helm taking cover.

[i]Well, that could have gone better,[/i] Ivorio thought.