Main Events
Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander demonstrates how the Sword of Truth works by temporarily naming Kahlan as Seeker. When she believes a tree is evil (though it's actually a memorial to Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander's wife), she easily cuts it down. When Richard tries to cut down an innocent tree, the sword stops him—the magic only allows harm to those the wielder believes are enemies. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander explains that using the sword extracts a price: the wielder sees all their own evil and the good in their victim, suffering profound guilt and pain. Anger provides protection against this pain. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander also reveals that Lord Darken Rahl and Richard are similar in that both believe they are right, which makes Rahl extremely dangerous.
Richard realizes there must be a pass across the boundary because his father found the Book of Counted Shadows in the Midlands and brought it to Westland—something that would have been impossible if there were no way across. As they prepare to leave, a mob of about fifty men arrives, calling Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander a witch and intending to kill him. Richard and Kahlan try to defend him, but Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander handles it himself with a clever trick, convincing the men he has removed their manhood, then restoring it after they apologize and agree to spread the word that magic doesn't make a person bad. However, Richard realizes this was a distraction—Lord Darken Rahl is coming for them right now. They flee immediately, but two short-tailed gars attack them. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander kills one with wizard's fire, and they escape to Chase's house.