Jeffrey Thomas

Kahlan Amnell, pursued by soldiers of Darken Rahl, the tyrant who rules the Midlands, flees that province and uses magic to cross the Boundary into Westland. Richard Cypher, a simple Westland woodsman, helps her escape them. Ranssyn Fane, commander of the soldiers, survives his confrontation with Kahlan and Richard and continues to pursue them. Returning home, Richard is sent by his father, George, to find an old man named Zedd.

Under a spell cast by Darken Rahl, Richard believes that his destiny was all a dream, and he wakes up in his home town, as normal as he was before discovering he was the Seeker. Rahl manipulates Richard's friends and family, attempting to discover where Richard has hidden the Third Box. Zedd and Kahlan attempt to break the spell.

Using the wisdom of wizards, Richard chases Fane in hope of taking back the sacred Book of Counted Shadows.