Main Events
Richard awakens from his fever, feeling completely recovered. He finds Kahlan and Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander waiting for him with food, and they share a lighthearted meal together. However, Richard knows he must confront Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander about being the great wizard. He systematically explains his reasoning: Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander's reaction to hearing about the quad attack showed personal knowledge of such loss, his claim that Kahlan would be safe against a quad could only be true if he had magic, and the fact that the next quad disappeared suggests wizard intervention. Richard closes his argument by reminding Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander that as his friend, he would do anything to help Richard if his life were in danger—and Richard's life is now in Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander's hands.
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander confirms that Richard is correct and reveals he has never been prouder of him, but also never sadder for him. The wizard goes into his house and returns with the Sword of Truth, a magnificent weapon with gold wire spelling "Truth" on the hilt. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander tells Richard to draw it, and when he does, Richard feels the sword's magic surge through him, awakening his anger in a way that both frightens and seduces him. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander names Richard as the Seeker, and both Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander and Kahlan kneel and pledge their lives in defense of the Seeker. Thunder rolls across the sky as the naming is completed. Richard stands bewildered, holding the sword and asking what a Seeker is.
Notable Quotes
Richard Reveals Zed is the Wizard
"Zed, my friend, we need your help to stop Darken Rahl. I know you want me to find the wizard for you. No, that won't be necessary. I have already found him." Richard felt Kahlan's questioning eyes on him but he continued to fix his gaze on Zed. "You are the great wizard."
[After Zed asks what makes him think this]
"When Kahlan first told me about the history of the Three Lands, she said the council had taken actions that made the death of the wizard's wife and daughter at the hands of a quad stand for nothing. And as punishment, the wizard did the worst thing possible to them. He left them to suffer the consequences of their own actions. That sounded like the very thing you would do but I couldn't be sure then. I had to find a way to know.
"When you first saw Kahlan and were angry that she had come here from the Midlands, I told you she had been attacked by a quad. I watched her eyes. They told me I was right. Only someone who had suffered a loss like yours would have had that look in his eyes. And you changed your attitude toward her after I told you completely. Only someone who had known that terror personally would have that kind of empathy."
Richard's Trust in Zed
"I have always known in a thousand little ways that you were more than you claimed to be. That you were a special person. I have always been honored to have you as my friend. And I know that as my friend you would do anything, anything you must, to help me if my life were in danger. Just as I would do anything for you. I trust you with my life and it is now in your hands."
The Sword of Truth
Richard's gaze fell upon the sword. The silver scabbard gleamed with gold flourishes that embellished it in sweeps and waves. Steel cross guards swept out and down aggressively. Finally twisted silver wire covered the grip, and interwoven along the side of the braided silver, gold wire formed the word "Truth." This, Richard thought, was the sword of a king. It was the finest weapon he had ever seen.
The Power of the Sword
"Draw it."
As if in a trance, Richard closed his fingers around the hilt and pulled the sword free, the blade making a ringing metallic sound that hung in the air. Richard had never heard a sword make a sound quite like it. His hand closed tightly around the grip, and in his palm and on his fingers opposite, he could feel the bumps of the gold wire that spelled out the word "Truth" on each side of the hilt, pressing almost painfully into his flesh.
Inexplicably, it felt precisely correct. The weight fit him exactly. He felt as if a part of him was now complete. From deep within, he felt his anger stir, brought to life, searching direction. He was suddenly aware of the tooth against his chest. As his rage rose, he felt an awakening power rushing into him from the sword, the twin to his own anger. His own feelings had always seemed independent, whole. This was like having an image in a mirror come to life. It was a terrifying specter.
His anger fared on the force from the sword, and in return, the wrath from the sword fared on his anger. Together, the twin storm spiraled through him. He felt like a helpless bystander being dragged along. It was a frightening and at the same time seductive sensation that bordered on violation.
The Naming of the Seeker
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander threw his head back and spread his arms. "To the sky," he called out. "Fair warning to those living and those dead. The Seeker is named!"
Thunder from the blue sky shook the ground and rolled off toward the boundary.
Kahlan fell to her knees in front of Richard, head bowed, hands held behind her back. "I pledge my life in the defense of the Seeker."
Zedd knelt beside her. His head bowed. "I pledge my life in the defense of the Seeker."
Richard stood gripping the sword of truth in his hand, eyes wide in breathless bewilderment. "Zedd," he whispered. "What in the name of everything good is a seeker."