As the Sisters of the Light train Richard to use his wizard power, the mysterious Sister Nicci informs him that the Sisters intend to keep him trapped in the Palace to prevent him from delivering the Stone of Tears into the Keeper's hands. He resolves to escape from the Palace and enters into a dubious alliance with Sister Nicci, allowing her to take the source of his wizard's power into herself. But in doing so, Nicci reveals herself to be a sister of the dark and the Prelate successfully captures her while Richard manages to escape. A new prophecy appears on the Palace walls, saying As long as the Mother Confessor's heart beats pure, the keeper will fail. Elsewhere, Shota the witch woman reveals to Zedd that he has no choice but to name a new Seeker in Richard's absence. Zedd, Kahlan and Cara find and name Leo, a blacksmith, as the new Seeker.