Bubba had taken Sherry back into the house, so I followed them.

The sword lay on the table. It wasn't fancy. There was no inlay, or jewels. The hilt was a simple basket. It was the deadliest thing I'd ever seen.

"May I hold it?" Sherry asked.

"Be careful," Bubba said, "it's heavier than it looks."

Sherry picked up the sword and held in with two hands like I'd shown her. She could just manage it with her small hands. I could see the sword shaking ...