After the murder of his father, and a chance encounter with a mysterious Confessor named Kahlan, Richard Cypher learns of an ancient prophecy that has named him the first true Seeker in over a millennium. Along with an old wizard named Zedd, Richard and Kahlan must stop the ruthless tyrant Darken Rahl from unleashing an ancient evil.

Aided by the wisdom of wizards, Richard pursues Fane in the hope of recovering the Book of Counted Shadows.

When Chase escapes a D'Harens labor camp, he finds Richard and Kahlan and tells them about the Gar invasion problems with the boundary open. The three return to Hartland but find that it is no longer the same place that Richard grew up in.

Resurrected Darken Rahl risks the Keeper's wrath by acquiring the secrets of an ancient scroll, forcing the Seeker into an uneasy alliance with his evil brother.