Faith of the Fallen

The Imperial Order is pushing its war into the New World, and Richard Rahl answers by retreating to the mountains of Westland. His belief is that people have to decide for themselves to fight for their freedom before any help from him can make them win.

His withdrawal is cut short by Nicci, a former Sister of the Dark. She uses a magical bond to seize Kahlan, and Richard has no choice but to follow her across to the Old World.

With Kahlan gone, she and Cara rejoin the D'Haran army. Kahlan takes command of the combined D'Haran and Midlands forces and turns them against the Order, so the war goes on in the New World while Richard is far away.

Richard works as a laborer in Altur'Rang, a city of the Old World, while Nicci sets out to break his spirit. This is epic fantasy that splits its attention between a battlefield command and a captive's daily struggle.

It is the sixth novel in the Sword of Truth series, published in 2000, following Soul of the Fire and followed by The Pillars of Creation. The open question is whether a single man's defiance can start a rebellion with no sword in his hand.