Zedd uses magic to outsmart Darken Rahl and steal the third and final Box of Orden

When Chase escapes a D'Harens labor camp, he finds Richard and Kahlan and tells them about the Gar invasion problems with the boundary open. The three return to Hartland but find that it is no longer the same place that Richard grew up in.

Richard, Kahlan and Chase are headed to the D'haran fortress where Chase's family is kept prisoner, and Darken Rahl's archwizard is conducting magical experiments on them. As they manage to infiltrate the fortress the Seeker comes face to face with his sinister opponent for the first time, while a terrible, unexpected force is unleashed.

While trying to keep the Box of Orden out of Darken Rahl's hands, Richard learns something new about his ties to Zedd.

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 captures Richard's sister Jennsen and poisons her mind against her brother. Meanwhile, Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd aid villagers after Rahl unleashes a plague on them.

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.

Darken Rahl plots his return to the land of the living, using a hapless look-alike; the Seeker races to find a stolen scroll, which holds the key to his quest for the Stone of Tears.