Darken Rahl enlists the help of Denna, a dangerous Mord-Sith, to locate the Third Box of Orden and give him the final key to world domination. Meanwhile, Richard's quest to thwart Rahl's evil plan leads to a startling revelation about his friend, Zedd.

Two opportunistic thieves plot to steal the Sword of Truth by using magic to disguise themselves as Richard and Kahlan. Meanwhile, the real Richard must battle a lethal Mord' Sith in order to free himself and Kahlan from the evil clutches of Darken Rahl's brutal D'Haran soldiers.