Chapter Twenty-Eight Sypnosis[]
The mud people organise the gathering. The spirits ask Richard questions about his reasons for killing. They argue that helping Richard would be aiding in the killing of Darken Rahl. Richard reluctantly answers. He also states that his nr 1 reason for wanting to kill Darken Rahl is because otherwise Darken Rahl will kill Kahlan. They ask Richard which magical object he is seeking. When he mentions the boxes of Orden the spirits say they are not allowed to answer that question. They want to end the gathering, Richard protests and they let him ask different questions.
Richard finds out the name of someone who isn't near the last box but who does know where it is: the witch woman Shota. Everyone except Richard is terrified upon hearing this name. The spirits also tell Richard that Darken Rahl is inside the mud people village, killing people. Richard wants to go out and figth him. The spirits advise him to wait. Darken Rahl will go away soon but going out there will be his end, they say. At the moment Darken Rahl cannot see Richard, because of the mud signs from the gathering. This remains the case as long as Richard leaves his sword in it's scabbard and the mud signs on his body. This protectiong will last as long as he is in mud people territory.
After the gathering all the clouds are gone, including the snakelike one. Richard is confronted by a mud person with a spear. He blames Richard for the massacre and he also informs them that Siddin got kidnapped as a 'gift'. Kahlan tells Sividlin they will save him once again but then tells Richard that was a lie to ease the pain. After seeing the dead, Kahlan and Richard leave to travel to Agaden Reach where the witch woman lives. Savidlin and ten of his hunters volunteer to guard them safely to the edge of their land.