In this Black Sails exclusive sneak peak, we discover what demons may or may not be haunting Captain Flint.

For those waiting for the moment when puppetmasters Eleanor Gutherie (Hannah New) and Mrs. Barlow (Louise Barnes) would meet, your wait is over. These two female masters of manipulation, in what is largely a man’s world, stare each other down across a table.

As usual, both ladies have an icy coolness. You can practically see the gears turning in their heads as they assess each other. Eleanor doesn’t speak, but Mrs. Barlow’s words are carefully, and precisely chosen. She calmly tells Eleanor, “Every man has his torments, demons born of past wrongs that hound and harass him. You perceive the effects of Captain Flint’s demons, echoes of their voices. But I know their names, I was there when they were born. I know the things they whisper to him at night. So you can believe me when I tell you, that within his chorus of torments none of them look or sound like me.”

Mrs. Barlow is clearly trying to intimidate Eleanor by reiterating that she has known Captain Flint far longer, and understands him on a deeper level than Eleanor can ever hope to achieve. Yet at the same time, Mrs. Barlow seems to be indicating that that she herself is not among the things that threaten and haunt Flint. Rather, she knows his wounds, but is not the cause of them.

There are several questions that immediately leap to mind, not the least of which is how did these two women meet, let alone have a sit down discussion? When last we left them, Eleanor and Mrs. Guthrie’s paths had never crossed, nor was either one intending to seek the other out.

Is Eleanor looking to rally Mrs. Barlow to her side to overthrow Ned Low? What advantage or threat does she think that Mrs. Barlow holds that she meets with her? Has she discovered that Mrs. Barlow was the woman who was keeping her father hostage, and subsequently lost him?

Is Mrs. Barlow telling the truth about Flint’s demons? Why is Mrs. Barlow speaking to Eleanor? What has she to gain? Perhaps her and Flint’s ultimate plan to establish a legitimate society is something that will require Eleanor’s help.

Hopefully, all these questions will be answered when Black Sails returns this Saturday on Starz at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT.