In the past, when the Fuller family were Khogend's wealthiest, who would have dared such brazen behavior? Now, after their downfall, the city seemed eager to exploit their misfortune. Dexter's rage was so intense he nearly coughed up blood. The commotion resembled a village under siege.

Even Myra, in their bedroom, was alarmed. Rushing out, she saw the chaos and exclaimed, "What are you doing?" They ignored her. Dexter considered calling his bodyguards, but found those remaining pinned and gagged by the crowd.

This was the breaking point. Dexter retrieved an antique sword from a nearby shelf. With a swift motion, he cleaved the wine cabinet in two. Expensive bottles shattered, their rich aroma mingling with the spilled crimson wine.

His dramatic action stunned them—the sword's sharpness, specifically. "Get out! Every last one of you!" he roared, fury twisting his face. "I'll cut down anyone who dares to advance! Test me if you're not afraid to die!"

For a moment, they hesitated. The man who had struck Dexter earlier neither advanced nor retreated, sneering, "We'll leave if you hand over the map! Otherwise, let's see how long you can run."

"What map?" Myra asked, confused. Her question drew mocking laughter. "Quite the actress," someone jeered. "I didn't expect such talent."

Myra was bewildered. Dexter, with a bitter laugh, seemed at a loss. The intruders explained. After much listening, Myra remained clueless until someone tossed a fake map at her feet.

The markings were blurred, unlike the genuine map she'd seen. She couldn't comprehend the error, how their delivered map had become a counterfeit. No explanation would suffice; outsiders would assume they'd hidden the real map. Even recreating it from memory was impossible; they couldn't recall the map's constellations of mountains and rivers.

Their mistake? They hadn't photographed or otherwise documented the map, intending to distance themselves from it. Now, no justification could clear their names.

Myra staggered backward, deathly pale. The most vocal intruder shoved her, threatening, "Where's the map? Hand it over!"

Dexter could not tolerate this. Rage trembling through him, he raised his sword, swinging with all his might. The intruder dodged; the sword struck the floor, creating a fissure.