Richard Rahl has finally married his true love, Kahlan, and are enjoying their wedding night in the Village of the Mud People. But their newlywed bliss is cut short as unexplainable deaths begin to occur. Richard realizes that when Kahlan called forth the Chimes in order to save him, they remained free—and now they’re causing havoc.

Richard’s mentor Zedd sends him and Kahlan off to the Wizard’s Keep in Aydindril to retrieve a magic spell that will stop the threat. But they are soon sidetracked by the people of Anderith, who wield a powerful weapon known as the Dominie Dirtch. The leadership of Anderith is making a bid to align with the evil Imperial Order. And as Richard tries to persuade them to change their minds, the Chimes continue their dangerous mischief.