"Soul of the Fire" is the fifth book in Terry Goodkind's series. At the start of the book, Richard and Kahlan are married and are enjoying their wedding night in the Mud People's village. However, some deaths occur in the village and Ann and Zedd's magic diminish. Although Zedd does not reveal the truth, they discover that it is actually the chimes. They discover that Emperor Jagang is gathering troops to bring destruction and Richard and Kahlan realize that they must stop the chimes. Ann and Zedd go on their own missions. Goodkind also depicts the events that happen in Anderith and at the Minister of Culture's estate.

Although Bertrand Chanboor is an instigator in many of the issues in his estate. Dalton Campbell, who works as the aide to the Minister of Culture, took some decisions in his own hands. Dalton treasures his wife and wants to provide well for her. Some of the local Hakens are also introduced, including Fitch, Beata, and Morley. In the end, Dalton betrays Fitch and we are later given a glimpse of the Anderith Army. When Zedd tried to banish the chimes first, he is turned into a raven.

A vote taken in Anderith shows that Richard is defeated. Ann finds the Sisters of Light, but they betray her and Ann is eventually able to sway one of the other Sisters. Campbell murders the Sovereign and Chanboor takes his rank as Sovereign. Chanboor ends up sleeping with Teresa, Dalton's wife and he is upset by the betrayal. Campbell kills an emissary of the Imperial Order. Kahlan is attacked and near death and there is spell cast.

Richard realizes that the chimes and the Dominie Dirtch are somehow connected and that Joseph Ander enslaved the chimes. He uses this to his advantage. du Chaillu stops Richard from healing Kahlan and names her baby after Cara. Richard decides to take Kahlan to let her heal from her wounds. Dalton apologizes and also explains that they are stricken with an unfortunate and incurable venereal disease and will soon die. He returns the Sword of Truth to Richard.