With Darken Rahl defeated, Richard and Kahlan think they can relax, but what they don't know is the Stone of Tears has been forced into the world from the underworld. The Stone of Tears is a construct of magic, but more important its function is to act as seal to prevent the Keeper of the Dead from crossing the Veil into the world of the living. Zedd knows that only Richard can replace the stone where it belongs, but Richard has begun down a road that will trap him in time. The Sisters of Light now know of him, and they are coming to take him away.