At a prestigious auction bidders explode when Zoey refuses to admit she lost a wager and onlookers accuse Mr. Fox of using influence to shut them up. Spectators pressure the Fox family to honor the bet or face disgrace. The uproar stops when Master Decimus of Enlightenment Cloister arrives, senses a thick death-chill, and points to a small black sword. He declares it a burial item and warns that wearing it will shorten a person's lifespan. The revelation halts the sale and forces everyone to confront the dangerous consequence tied to the disputed prize.