In the wake of Darken Rahl's death, one of his commanders, General Grix, tries to claim the throne of D'Hara for himself and eliminate anyone who could challenge him, including Richard Cypher, the rightful heir. Kahlan and Zedd track Grix's D'Haran soldiers, who plan to threaten his rivals with deadly force. Meanwhile, Richard and Cara track Grix to a brothel run by Denna, the Mord'Sith who once tried to eliminate the Seeker for Rahl. Richard soon discovers he is to be an unwilling pawn in Denna's deadly plot to control the throne herself, a scheme in which he may pay the ultimate price.

As the Sisters of the Light train Richard to use his wizard power, the beautiful and mysterious Sister Nicci reveals a shocking secret about his hosts at the Palace of the Prophets. Elsewhere, Shota the witch woman reveals to Zedd that he has no choice but to name a new Seeker in Richard's absense. Zedd, Kahlan and Cara set out to find the person destined to next wield the Sword of Truth, while Richard, unvertain whom to trust, is forced into a dark alliance with Sister Nicci.