4. Architects of the Future

Navani's newly completed airship, the Fourth Bridge, makes its maiden humanitarian mission to evacuate a town in Alethkar. As refugees board the transport, Kaladin warns of Fused pursuit, and the Mink—a legendary Herdazian general—arrives to negotiate the rescue of his remaining forces. The chapter ends as enemy fliers approach the ship.

Navani oversees the Fourth Bridge's descent to an Alethkar town, marveling at the lush landscape and her own achievement in creating a functional flying transport powered by paired gemstone fabrials and aluminum technology. The ship is crewed by engineers, with Dalinar present as the Bondsmith and Velat serving as cartographer. After landing, Edgedancers begin evacuating townspeople while Navani converses with Kmakl, the elderly Thaylen prince consort, who expresses concern that airships will render traditional navies obsolete. Kaladin arrives with his father Lirin, a surgeon unfamiliar with his son's recent elevation to Stormblessed status. Kaladin warns Dalinar that a Fused spotted him during scouting and that resistance is imminent. Dalinar renews Kaladin's Stormlight through his Bondsmith powers—a process Navani observes and documents in her notebook. The Mink, a short Herdazian general, unexpectedly appears at the command station, having infiltrated the ship. He negotiates with Dalinar to rescue his scattered remaining forces in exchange for their cooperation. Navani notes Dalinar's unilateral decision-making, though she does not openly object. As refugees board below deck, Windrunner Lyn reports three full flights of Fused approaching the airship.