Richard Cyper rescues Kahlan, a mysterious confessor from the Midlands sent to give the Book of Counted Shadows to the one true seeker. Zed, an old man who lives nearby, tells Richard that he is this seeker and gives him the Sword of Truth. With Kahlan and Zed’s assistance, Richard sets out to avenge his father’s death. But with their way across the boundary gone they may have no way of returning to the Midlands even if they retrieve the Book of Counted Shadows.