50 - On the Ship

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The salty sea breeze carried the faint scent of brine and wood as Wes stood on the deck, his cloak billowing behind him. Beside him, Zandi, his ever-dutiful housekeeper, surveyed the ship with a look of disdain that could curdle milk. The air was thick with the tension of unfamiliar magic, and Jack Sparrow and Angelica stood awkwardly, feeling like intruders in their own world.

"Zandi, my housekeeper," Wes introduced, his voice cutting through the wind like a blade. "If you have any needs, he'll see to them. Rest assured, I've prepared ample supplies. You could bathe every day if you wished, and there'd still be more than enough."

Zandi's gaze swept over Jack and Angelica, his nose wrinkling as if he'd caught a whiff of something foul. "If you have any needs, do mention them, you two… Muggles," he said, the word dripping with contempt. He turned away, muttering under his breath, "How can anyone live in such filth?"

With a snap of his fingers, Jendi summoned an army of cleaning tools—brooms, mops, brushes—all of which sprang to life and began scrubbing the deck with military precision. Bubbles foamed and popped, catching the sunlight and scattering rainbows across the wood. The ship, once weathered and grimy, began to gleam as if it were fresh from the shipyard.

"Well, this is… something," Jack Sparrow remarked, sidestepping a particularly enthusiastic mop. His eyes widened as he took in the transformation. "Never thought I'd see the day my ship sparkled like a nobleman's dining table."

Angelica, too, was speechless. She ran a hand along the newly polished railing, her fingers coming away dust-free. "Is this magic?" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

"Indeed," Wes replied, his tone as calm as the sea on a windless day. "Though I'd advise you not to get too comfortable. Zandi has… high standards."

As if on cue, Zendi turned his critical eye to Jack and Angelica. "You two," he said, his voice sharp, "are the filthiest things on this ship. When was the last time you bathed? You smell like a tavern floor after a brawl."

Jack shrugged, unbothered. "Pirates don't exactly have the luxury of daily baths, mate. This," he gestured to himself, "is the smell of freedom."

Jendi's lip curled. "Freedom or not, you're not setting foot in my clean ship like that." With another snap of his fingers, Jack was hoisted into the air, flailing like a fish on a line. Before he could protest, he was plunged into a steaming tub of water that had materialized out of nowhere. Hard-bristled brushes descended on him, scrubbing with a vigor that left him howling.

"Alright, alright! I surrender!" Jack shouted, his voice muffled by the suds. "I'll bathe, I'll bathe!"

Angelica, meanwhile, stood frozen, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I… I'll clean myself," she stammered, backing away from Jendi's scrutinizing gaze.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the ship was spotless, and so were its occupants. Jack emerged from his impromptu bath, his hair slicked back and his clothes miraculously clean. He looked down at himself, sniffed experimentally, and grinned. "Not bad. I almost feel like a proper gentleman."

Angelica, too, looked refreshed, her hair gleaming in the moonlight. She sat at the dining table, her eyes wide as she took in the feast Zendi had prepared. Platters of roasted meats, baskets of fresh bread, and bowls of vibrant fruits and vegetables filled the table. The aroma was intoxicating.

"This is… incredible," Angelica said, her voice tinged with awe. "I've never seen so much food in one place."

Jack wasted no time, grabbing a steak and tearing into it with gusto. "Aye, this is the life," he said around a mouthful of food. "If this is what being a wizard's prisoner is like, sign me up."

Zendi watched with thinly veiled disgust as Jack devoured his meal. "Must you eat like a wild animal?" he muttered, but he refilled Jack's plate nonetheless.

As the meal wound down, Wes leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze settling on Jack. "How long until we reach Whitecap Bay?"

Jack paused, considering. "Three days, give or take. But I can't steer the helm day and night. I need rest."

Wes reached into his cloak and produced a small vial filled with an emerald-green liquid. He tossed it to Jack, who caught it with a raised eyebrow.

"What's this?" Jack asked, holding the vial up to the light.

"A potion," Wes replied. "It'll keep you awake and alert for three days. No need to worry—it's not poison."

Angelica's hand shot out, gripping Jack's arm. "Don't drink it," she warned. "We don't know what it'll do to you."

Jack hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "If Wes wanted us dead, he'd have done it by now." With that, he downed the potion in one gulp. Almost immediately, his eyes brightened, and a grin spread across his face.

"Well, I'll be damned," he said, his voice tinged with excitement. "I feel like I could wrestle a kraken!"

Before anyone could stop him, Jack grabbed Angelica and planted a kiss on her lips. She froze, her face turning crimson, before shoving him away. "Jack!" she hissed, glancing nervously at Wes and Jendi.

Wes sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Captain Sparrow, the potion was meant to keep you awake, not… amorous."

Jack, undeterred, grabbed Angelica's hand and pulled her toward the door. "Come on, love. Let's get this ship to Whitecap Bay. The sooner we're done, the sooner I can get back to being a free man."

As they disappeared down the corridor, Wes shook his head. "Three days," he muttered. "This is going to be a long three days."