Main Events
The Mud People hold a banquet in honor of Richard and Kahlan becoming Mud People. During the celebration, four young women are presented to Richard, and he is told he must pick one to be his wife and give the Mud People a child. Richard is also required to eat enemy flesh—dried meat from one of Lord Darken Rahl's fire fighters (enforcers) that the Mud People killed. The Mud People believe eating their enemies gives them wisdom. Richard eats the meat, then tricks the elders by eating an apple, claiming that in Westland, red fruit might make a man's seed poisonous to women. The elders, fearing for The Bird Man's niece whom Richard had chosen, beg him not to take her as his wife. Richard agrees, thus avoiding the requirement while still remaining a Mud Person.
After the banquet, Kahlan goes to find Richard in the Spirit House. She apologizes for making commitments on his behalf without asking, and he accepts her apology. They share an intimate moment, with Kahlan becoming passionate and trying to seduce him. However, Richard stops her, saying he will only allow it if she first tells him what she is—referring to her being a Confessor, which she has been hiding from him. Kahlan cannot bring herself to tell him, so they stop, and Richard holds her as she falls asleep, promising she can tell him when she is ready.