Main Events
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander explains what a Seeker is—a person who answers to no one but himself, who seeks answers and can hold anyone accountable. The Sword of Truth belongs to the Seeker and can be used as he wishes. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander reveals he retrieved the sword from the Midlands years ago when the previous Seeker became entangled with a witch woman. Richard is troubled by the responsibility and initially tries to refuse, but Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander explains that Richard has been a Seeker for years without knowing it—he has always sought the truth, as when he searched for the vine and found the wizard.
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander then explains the Three Boxes of Orden: ancient magic vessels that Lord Darken Rahl has put into play. Rahl has one year from when he put them in play to open one of the boxes, but he must have all three first. If he opens the correct box, he gains power over all things living and dead. If he opens one wrong box, he dies instantly. If he opens the other wrong box, all life is incinerated. Richard learns that Rahl has only two boxes so far, not all three. Most devastatingly, Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander reveals that Richard cannot use the Sword of Truth against Lord Darken Rahl—the magic of Orden protects Rahl during his year of search, and attempting to use the sword against him would kill Richard instantly. When Kahlan tells Richard how Lord Darken Rahl killed his father—using anthropomancy, divining answers by inspecting living human entrails—Richard's rage explodes and he accepts the position of Seeker, vowing to kill Lord Darken Rahl.
Notable Quotes
The Three Boxes of Orden
"There is a magic," he began, "an ancient and dangerous magic of immense power. It's a magic spawned from the earth, from life itself. It is held in three vessels called the Three Boxes of Orden. The magic is dormant until the boxes are put into play, as it is called. To do so is not easy. It requires a person who has knowledge gained from long scholarship and who can call upon considerable power of his own.
"Once a person has at least one of the boxes, the magic of Orden can be put in play. He then has one year from that time to open a box, but he must have all three before any will open. They work together. You can't simply have one and open it. If the person who puts them in play fails to acquire all three and to open one within the allotted time, he forfeits his life to the magic. There is no going back. Darken Rahl must open one of the boxes or die. On the first day of winter, his year is up."
The Power of the Boxes
"Each box holds a different power, which is released upon its opening. If Rahl opens the correct one, he gains the magic of Orden, the magic of life itself, power over all things living and dead. He will have unchallenged power and authority. He will be a master with immutable dominion over all people. Anyone he doesn't like, he will be able to kill with a thought, in any manner of his choosing, wherever that person is, no matter how far away."
[After Richard asks what happens if he opens one of the others]
"Open the wrong box, then the magic claims him. He's dead. Just like that. We're all safe. The threat is removed."
He leaned closer. His brow furrowed and gave Richard a hard look. "Open the other wrong box and every bug, every blade of grass, every tree, every man, woman and child, every living thing is incinerated into nothingness. It would be the end of all life. The magic of Orden is twin to the magic of life itself, and death is part of everything that lives. So the magic of Orden is tied to death as well as life."
Magic is Neither Good Nor Evil
"Sounds like a terribly evil magic," Richard said.
Zed leaned back, taking his hands from the table. He shook his head. "No, not really. The magic of Orden is the power of life. Like all power, it simply exists. It's the user who determines what use it will be put to. The magic of Orden can just as easily be used to help crops grow, to heal the sick, to end conflict. It's all in what the user wants. The power is neither evil nor good. It simply exists. It is up to the mind of man to put it to use. I think we all know which use Darken Rahl would choose."
What a Seeker Is
"A Seeker is a person who answers to no one but himself. He is a law unto himself. The Sword of Truth is his to wield as he wishes, and within the limits of his own strength, he can hold anyone to answer for anything."
[Continuing]
"You see, Richard, a Seeker does exactly as the name implies. He seeks. He seeks the answers to things, things of his own choosing. If he is the right person, he will seek the answers that will help others, not just himself. The whole purpose of a Seeker is to be free to quest on his own, to go where he wants, ask what he wants, learn what he wants, find answers to what he wants to know, and if need be, do whatever it is the answers demand."
The Seeker Picks Himself
"But I don't pick a Seeker, Richard. A true Seeker picks himself. I only name them. You have been a Seeker for years without knowing it. I have watched you, and that is what you do. You are always seeking the truth. What do you think you were doing in the high venn? You were seeking the answer to the vine, to your father's murder. You could have left that to others, others more qualified, and, as it turned out, perhaps you should have. But that would have been against your nature, the nature of a Seeker. They don't leave it to others because they want to know for themselves. When Kahlan told you she was looking for a wizard who was lost since before she was born, you had to know who it was, and you found him."
Think of the Solution, Not the Problem
Richard knew what Zed was talking about, but was reluctant to answer, as he felt answering only pulled him in deeper. Zed lifted an eyebrow, waiting. Richard looked down at the table, picking at the wood with his thumbnail.
"Think of the solution, not the problem. And right now you are doing it backwards. You are only concentrating on why the problem is impossible. You are not thinking of the solution."
Darken Rahl Hunts Richard
Zed reached across the table, across the sword, and put his hand on Richard's. His eyes were somber. "Darken Rahl hunts you. Personally. The only reason I can fathom for this is that with the insight he has gained from the magic of Orden, he too knows you to be the one and so searches you out to eliminate the threat."