Michael Cypher
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Michael Cypher is a fictional character from Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series.
The son of George Cypher, and adopted brother of Richard Cypher, Michael grows up to be an important leader of Westland, but betrays Richard, thereby causing his own death.
Michael Cypher, shortly after the murder of his father (which is later revealed to be the work of Darken Rahl) is appointed to be an important leader for the Westland, a realm without magic. Even then, his future defection to Darken Rahl is foreshadowed by his acceptance speech, in which he speaks of the dangers of fire (which is significant in that fire is forbidden unless specific permission is given by authorities in areas subdued by Darken Rahl). Richard, originally, writes this off as being mere concern for the people, and understandable as their own mother died in a fire.
After Richard begins his quest to defeat Darken Rahl by obtaining at least one of the boxes of Orden, which Darken Rahl seeks to find all three of in order to have complete control over all life, Michael is not mentioned for a long period of time.
Richard discovers Michael's defection when, after having an enemy enchantment cast upon him (which makes one seem like an enemy to all those fighting on your side) Michael sees Richard as Richard, meaning, in short, that he and Richard are on opposite sides of the struggle. Richard manages to escape from Michael and his army.
After Darken Rahl's defeat, Richard orders Michael's execution, but sorrows over the necessity of his foster brother's death.