The scene opens with a conversation between the captain of the Forreas and Moussa . Moussa tells the captain that Redxan is a traitor and that he has lost all of Moussa's father's cargo. The captain assures Moussa that the cargo is safe and that the ship will be able to sail safely again. He asks why Moussa is wasting his time with a peasant who is not a member of the royal family. The Captain replies that he is courting someone of blood and that Moussa should not be courting a peasant of blood. He tells the Captain that it was Moussa who usurped the command of the ship. He says that if there is a coup, Moussa will be sent to the dhimmis without any money. He adds that if the Dhimmis charge Moussa with treason, they will not believe him. He wonders if it is time for Moussa and his daughter to get into a fight with Moussa, who is married to another man. He also wonders if Moussa might convince his uncle to forbid their marriage. He then asks the Captain to take him back to explain the situation to him.