The streets of London were unusually lively today. Members of the British Royal Guard could be seen everywhere, dressed in bright uniforms and marching in unison. The muskets in their hands gleamed coldly under the sunlight, adding a tense atmosphere to the city.
Citizens were puzzled by the sudden change. They watched the swiftly moving soldiers with curiosity, whispering among themselves about this unexpected spectacle.
"They've finally arrived," Wes murmured softly, setting down the newspaper in his hands.
He quietly followed behind one unit of the Royal Guard, his steps light and cautious—almost entirely unnoticed.
This particular group of soldiers, armed with muskets and full of menace, stormed into the Old Captain's Daughter Tavern.
Inside, pirates were loudly boasting of their adventures, while barmaids giggled and cast flirtatious glances at passing men.
But the moment the Royal Guard burst in, the entire tavern plunged into chaos and panic. Pirates and prostitutes alike scrambled in confusion.
None of them could understand why the Royal Guard would show up in this lawless corner of town. This place had always been their safe haven, their playground of vice.
Some pirates, by instinct, reached clumsily for their weapons—but before they could act, gunfire rang out. A few of them dropped to the floor instantly.
The sharp crack of musket fire echoed through the tavern like a death knell.
The rest scattered in terror, like startled birds desperately searching for an escape route.
But the Royal Guard clearly knew what they were after. Without hesitation, they stormed into the tavern's back rooms—clearly prepared and informed.
Inside one of the rooms, Angelica and Jack Sparrow found themselves completely surrounded.
Angelica tried to activate a hidden mechanism to escape, but to her horror, she found herself frozen in place—as if held down by an invisible force.
Strangely, the Royal Guards were also frozen, as if caught in a binding spell, unable to move a muscle.
"Darling, what's going on?" Jack Sparrow asked, feigning concern while quickly calculating how he might use this moment to slip away.
"Captain Sparrow," a calm, powerful voice echoed as Wes Elwin stepped into the room. "A pleasure to finally meet you."
"Who are you?" Jack Sparrow demanded, drawing his sword. "Is this your doing?"
"No need to be so tense." Wes calmly pulled out a chair and sat down with effortless grace and confidence, as if everything was playing out according to his design.
Jack tried to take Angelica with him, but she remained rooted to the spot.
"Sweetheart, now's not the time to be playing games…"
Angelica could only shoot him frantic glances, urging him to run.
Once Jack realized it was all Wes's doing, he oddly relaxed. He cocked an eyebrow, daintily raised his fingers, and gave Wes a slow once-over—silently assessing this mysterious man's purpose and identity.
"You're a wizard, aren't you?"
"I am," Wes replied firmly.
"So, what's this mysterious wizard want with me?"
Not wanting to lose ground in this verbal duel, Jack also grabbed a chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and adopted his signature air of devil-may-care arrogance.
"Captain Sparrow."
"Mmm, that's right."
Jack was clearly pleased with the title—even though he currently had no ship, he firmly believed he'd reclaim the Black Pearl someday.
"I need you to take me somewhere," Wes said, his voice reverberating through the room.
Jack's brows arched slightly. It seemed he had already guessed what Wes might be after.
"The Fountain of Youth. I need you to take me there."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, what is it with today? Why is everyone suddenly so obsessed with the Fountain of Youth?" Jack Sparrow shook his head with a bitter smile. "That rumor's spreading faster than the plague."
"There are no secrets in this world I cannot uncover," Wes said with a trace of confidence in his voice—but his expression shifted awkwardly right after. He realized he didn't actually know the exact location of the Fountain.
"Then how do you not know where the Fountain is?" Jack Sparrow shot back.
Wes gave an embarrassed cough or two, clearly trying to cover his misstep.
"Looks like the wizard ain't all-knowing after all," Jack said with a smirk, brushing his pinky across his mustache as his eyes darted mischievously, already calculating how to handle this troublesome stranger.
There was no way Jack wanted to team up with someone as dangerous and mysterious as Wes. He knew men like this only brought chaos.
"I can offer you a reward you won't refuse," Wes said plainly.
He opened his leather case. Bars of gold flew out and stacked themselves nearly as tall as a man. In an instant, the dimly lit room was aglow with golden light.
Everyone's eyes glinted with greed. Their gazes locked onto the gold.
If they weren't frozen by magic, they would've rushed forward in a frenzy.
Jack Sparrow wasn't immune either. His fingers twitched—but he quickly mastered his desire, and his expression turned cold once again.
"You've got the wrong guy. I don't know where the Fountain is. I think you're wasting your time."
He slowly backed toward the exit. As for Angelica? He could always find a chance to free her later. Right now, his own neck was the priority.
"The Black Pearl."
Jack Sparrow froze mid-step. His body stiffened slightly. That name meant something to him—something deep.
"I can help you reclaim the Black Pearl."
Jack sat back down. His body leaned forward, fists clenched tight. He spoke through gritted teeth: "The Black Pearl was destroyed by Blackbeard."
Wes shook his head. "It wasn't destroyed. The Black Pearl became one of Blackbeard's trophies."
"You got proof?" Jack looked at Wes suspiciously.
Wes didn't answer directly. Instead, he lifted the magic binding Angelica. She moved instantly, attempting to activate the hidden mechanism to escape.
"Don't do anything reckless, miss."
Angelica froze at Wes's warning. Her sword hovered mid-air. Though clearly unwilling, she knew she wasn't a match for this wizard.
"This is between us. Leave her out of it," Jack said firmly, stepping protectively in front of Angelica.
Moved by his words, Angelica dropped her sword and threw her arms around Jack's waist.
"You wanted proof? She's Blackbeard's daughter."
The moment Wes spoke, Jack turned in shock. He grabbed Angelica by the shoulders, gripping hard.
"Ow! Jack, you're hurting me!" Angelica cried out.
"Oh—sorry." Jack quickly let go. "Is he telling the truth?"
Angelica nodded. "I don't know how he found out, but… yes. My father did—did capture the Black Pearl…" She went on to explain the entire story.
"You mean to tell me the Pearl's trapped in a little bottle right now?" Jack interrupted, his tone urgent.
"Jack, if you help me find the Fountain of Youth, I'll ask my father to return the Black Pearl to you."
"Hah! And you're really Blackbeard's daughter? You sound so naive."
"Jack!!" Angelica was fuming.
Jack shrugged. "Blackbeard is the most ruthless, cunning pirate to ever sail the seas. I don't trust him for a second."
"Captain Sparrow is right. And I was the one who extended the invitation," Wes said, rising to his feet.
"Don't waste any more time, Captain Sparrow. Give me an answer," Wes said in a tone that made refusal sound impossible.
If Jack refused his invitation, Wes had a backup plan—he'd simply take that magical compass Jack carried and find the way himself.
°°°
Hungry for more chaps? Then check out our pătreon!
Link: Påtreon.com/BaphometFiction
I post 20 advanced chapters of this fanfic there.
If you do subscribe, please do so in the web patreon, not the ios app.