Richard Cypher was once but a simple woods guide in his home town of Hartland. That all changed after meeting Kahlan Amnell and Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, who revealed to Richard he is the first true Seeker the world has known in a thousand years, destined to wield the powerful Sword of Truth and defeat the evil tyrant Darken Rahl. With the Confessor and the Wizard of the First Order beside him, Richard fulfilled that destiny, killing Rahl and giving freedom to everyone enslaved under his rule.

Now, Richard discovers that the greatest harm can sometimes come from the best intentions. The aftermath of destroying Rahl, Richard's greatest enemy as well as his brother, is devastating. A tear has formed in the veil separating the world of the living and the Underworld, the domain of the Keeper. Only the mythical Stone of Tears can seal the cracks that are forming all over the world, and prevent the Keeper from waging war on the living. Richard is told that he is to inherit Darken Rahl's throne and the leadership of all D'Hara. But he decides to put aside becoming Lord Rahl for now. The Seeker's new mission - to find the Stone and close the rift once and for all.