While the Keeper wages war on the living, Richard, Kahlan, Zedd and Cara set out to rescue a group of villagers who may have been kidnapped by banelings -- dead souls returned from the Underworld by the Keeper in exchange for killing someone every day to stay alive. As the rescue attempt grows intense, Cara proposes a deadly covenant with the ruthless Darken Rahl to protect the Seeker. Meanwhile, a dubious magic peddler strikes a deal with Zedd's wayward brother to sell a potion that might threaten Rahl's plan and cure banelings of their bloodlust once and for all.

The Sisters of the Dark turn against their leader, the dangerous Sister Nicci, after she twice fails to kill Kahlan. Threatened by Darken Rahl, and hunted by the disciples who now want her dead, Sister Nicci comes up with a shocking plan to redeem herself in the eyes of the Keeper. By casting a powerful spell that directly links her life to Kahlan's, Richard has no choice but to protect Nicci from her enemies and lead her to the Stone of Tears in order to save Kahlan's life. Now, Kahlan's only hope to break the spell lies with the last person she ever wants to see again - her father.