Chapter 36: Reunited with Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander

Richard tracks Rachel but decides not to pursue her, as they don't have time. Kahlan asks Richard to cut her hair, saying it frightens people, but he refuses, telling her he respects her for who she is and wouldn't want her to pretend to be less. They continue toward Tamarang. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander appears, and Richard tests him by making him walk through a spiderweb to prove he's real. They are joyfully reunited. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander explains that Lord Darken Rahl's own men destroyed Horner's Mill to make people think Westlanders did it—this is the "Wizard's First Rule": people are stupid and will believe what they want to believe. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander reveals that the Book of Counted Shadows was stolen from the wizard's keep in Eydendril, which has fallen. Richard realizes he is the keeper of the book—he memorized it as a child, and his father had the book burned. Richard throws the tooth into the river to distance himself from it. Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander explains about Samuel, the former Seeker who was deformed by the sword's magic, and admits he doesn't know if Richard will suffer the same fate. Richard breaks down crying, saying he just wants to go home.