Zedd's brother Thaddicus discovers that their father's killer, who was assumed to have perished at the hand of Darken Rahl, is still alive. Upon learning the grim news, Zedd leaves Richard, Kahlan and Cara, reuniting with Thaddicus on a secret quest to avenge their father's murder. While the siblings attempt to find the person both they and Rahl want dead, the Seeker's hunt for the Stone of Tears leads him to befriend a stranger who claims he's uncovered secrets crucial to Richard's quest. But the real mystery surrounding this man sends Richard and Zedd on a collision course with the past - and each other.