AFTERWORD

Chapter 21

Interludes

Overview

This interlude chapter comprises multiple scenes across different locations in Urithiru, showing various characters working on problems of tower defense, fabrial engineering, and coalition politics. Navani investigates the crystalline pillar's protective properties while also developing revolutionary fabrial technology to harness storm energy. The chapter culminates in a coalition meeting where a military offensive into Emul is unanimously approved, though Navani worries about Taravangian's unexpected support for the plan.

Summary

Navani begins by studying the tower's central crystalline pillar with her assistant Rushu, searching for connections to suppression fabrials. She discovers that the spren operating the suppression device has been corrupted, similar to Renarin's spren, raising concerns about trust. She then visits her engineering laboratory where Falilar and his nephew Tomor demonstrate a breakthrough portable device that redirects force through conjoined fabrials using aluminum caging—technology derived from studying the Fourth Bridge's flight mechanics. Recognizing the solution to their manpower shortage, Navani leads Falilar to a deep shaft in the tower where she has installed a system using weights and windmills to harness highstorm energy, planning to power an entire air force through stored kinetic force from the storms themselves. At the coalition meeting, Taravangian unexpectedly supports Dalinar's aggressive proposal to attack into Emul, offering twenty thousand troops despite his months of claiming he could not spare soldiers. His swift agreement troubles Navani, who suspects a trap. The meeting also sees discussion of sending an envoy into Shadesmar to repair relations with the honorspren, led by Shallan and Adolin with other Radiants. After the meeting, Navani and Dalinar share an intimate evening, with him expressing anxiety about Taravangian's cunning and requesting that Navani remain in the tower as a safeguard while he deploys to Emul.

Characters

  • Navani KholinPrimary focus character; leads fabrial research, proposes new engineering solutions, manages coalition politics, and expresses concerns about Taravangian's motives
  • RushuNavani's research assistant; helps investigate the pillar's properties and the corrupted suppression fabrial spren
  • FalilarMaster engineer working with Navani; helps develop the portable force-redirection device and receives assignments for further fabrial work
  • TomorYoung scholar and Falilar's nephew; designs and demonstrates the prototype portable fabrial device
  • Dalinar KholinMilitary commander and coalition leader; proposes the Emul offensive, discusses Taravangian's threat, and shares concerns with Navani about potential betrayal
  • TaravangianKing of Jah Keved; unexpectedly supports the Emul proposal and offers troops, causing Navani to suspect his true motives
  • Jasnah KholinRadiants representative and coalition member; provides written explanations for the Emul proposal
  • Queen FenThaylen monarch; questions the proposal initially, then agrees; discusses naval strategy and need for Windrunner support
  • KmaklThaylen representative; mentioned as impressed by the flying fortress
  • YanagawnAzish Prime (child emperor); speaks in support of the Emul proposal
  • NouraHead Azish vizier; leads the coalition meeting
  • SigzilWindrunner companylord; proposes sending an envoy to honorspren to repair relations
  • KaladinMentioned but absent; on leave of absence recovering from wounds
  • LiftEdgedancer; volunteers for the Shadesmar envoy but is deemed too informal; emerges from under the table during the meeting
  • Shallan KholinRadiant and highprince's wife; volunteers to lead the envoy into Shadesmar with Adolin
  • Adolin KholinHighprince; volunteers to lead the Shadesmar envoy with Shallan, shows enthusiasm for returning to Shadesmar
  • Renarin KholinRadiant with corrupted spren; mentioned as present in the meeting but not a suitable envoy candidate
  • GodekeEdgedancer and former ardent; selected to be part of the Shadesmar envoy
  • The StormfatherReferenced as a potential speaker on behalf of the coalition to the honorspren