Main Events
Richard searches desperately for Kahlan, finding her tracks going back the way they came. He realizes she must have thought he was lost and went back to get Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander. Following her tracks, he finds her being attacked by the last member of the quad. In a murderous rage, Richard leaps from a rock and kills the man with the Sword of Truth, cutting through his sword, chain mail, and head in one devastating blow. The magic of the sword then exacts its terrible price—Richard experiences excruciating pain unlike anything he has ever known, seeing all his own evil and the good in the man he killed. He nearly dies from the pain, but manages to control it as he learned to control the anger. Kahlan explains that Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander told her the first time a Seeker kills with the sword is different—the magic tests the Seeker, joining with him, and nothing can protect from that first pain. They reunite and continue through the pass, reaching the Midlands. Kahlan tells Richard they need to find the Mud People, who may be able to help them locate the last box.