Kahlan and Richard respond to a letter from the leader of the resistance asking for help, members of the resistance have been dying by "accident" around him. Meanwhile Zedd goes to visit his family to pick up an object he needs.

Opportunistic thieves use magic to disguise themselves as Richard and Kahlan in a scheme to rob trusting townspeople, but when they learn the real Seeker and Confessor are nearby, they seize the opportunity to steal the Sword of Truth.

To protect his realm from the D’Harans, King Gregor persuades the sorcerer Shota to transform him into a vicious beast at sundown each day. But it leads to a dillema for Richard, when that viciousness takes an unintended and tragic turn.

Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd race to find a duplicate copy of the Book of Counted Shaddows before Darken Rahl can get his hands on it.

Darken Rahl and his Mord'Sith interrupt Richard and Kahlan as they prepare to unleash the power of Orden, which would destroy the tyrant once and for all.