Thirty minutes later, Ross waited as Gem reluctantly released her aunt from their tight hug of goodbye. She nodded at something her uncle said before rising up on her toes to give the older man a brief kiss on the cheek. Ross looked down and adjusted the strap of his shield.
“Ross, I thought you may be able use this,” Ashure suggested.
He looked up in surprise as the pirate stepped up beside him holding out a sword. He reached for the handle and took the sword from Ashure’s hand. He was surprised at the lightness of the long blade. He’d always thought swords were heavy and cumbersome.
“Ah, thanks,” he murmured before looking back at Ashure. “But – shouldn’t you keep it?”
“A good pirate never gives away his best blade,” Ashure reassured him.
Ross watched with a mixture of amusement and
