A birthday celebration for Richard goes horribly wrong when a grief-stricken magician unleashes a lethal plan to avenge the unjust deaths of his sons, killed in the war against Darken Rahl. To exact revenge on those responsible, the conflicted conjurer traps Kahlan and Cara in a tomb and causes the release of a bloodthirsty Nygaax - a mummy ruled by dark magic. Now, with time and air running out, it's up to the Seeker to rescue the Confessor and Cara. Meanwhile, an even deadlier fate awaits Zedd upon the arrival of the Nygaax.

When a Sister of the Dark steals an ancient scroll containing secrets critical to their quest for the Stone of Tears, Richard, Kahlan, Zedd and Cara set out to recover the all-important document and thwart the Keeper's deadly scheme to destroy all life. Meanwhile, Darken Rahl grows weary of his tenure in the Underworld and hatches a lethal plot to return to the land of the living using a hapless lookalike named Walter - a plan which could require the unwilling assistance of the Seeker.