Main Events
Richard and Kahlan arrive at Michael's house for his celebration as first counselor. The house is filled with important people in fine clothes, making Richard feel out of place in his dirty forest garb. They encounter Chase, a boundary warden and Richard's friend, who reveals that Michael has called in all boundary wardens to serve as his personal guards. Chase is suspicious of Michael's claims about a conspiracy, and when Richard tells him about the four men who attacked them, Chase promises to investigate the bodies at Blunt Cliff. Chase also mentions that Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander wants to see Richard urgently.
Michael finally appears and gives a dramatic speech about peace and the future, claiming that the boundaries will eventually fade and that Westland should prepare to welcome their long-separated brothers and sisters from the Midlands and D'Hara. He speaks emotionally about fire safety, using his own mother's death in a fire as an example, and publicly points to Richard, causing him great discomfort. The speech moves the crowd deeply, though Richard feels uneasy about it. After the speech, Michael approaches Richard and dismissively tells him that their father's murder was likely just about stolen goods, showing no real concern for finding the killer.
When Michael meets Kahlan, he becomes inappropriate, grabbing her and making crude advances despite her protests. Kahlan responds by using her fingernail to cut his chest, drawing blood, and then storms out. Richard follows her, angry at his brother's behavior but also ashamed of his own anger, which he has learned to suppress since his mother's death.