#controlled rage

“As Ionians find chemical technology repulsive while Zaunites embrace it, so too would we push magic back - it has been the cause of much of our suffering and continues to be so.” Not only the incidents with the wretch of Dregbourne but the work of dragons in the realm and other anomalies as well as the likes of the Lady of Stones. The man who threw chemfire upon Ionia was likely reviled and yet none told Ionia, ‘You just do not appreciate technology and rejecting chemicals and rapidly evolving technology is wrong of you.’

And just as Ionians adored their magic, Zaunites adored their technology - with all the risks involved. Why? Because of the great hurt such things had caused the entirety of the nation, acres of land that would never recover - Demacia had faced the same in its history.

“This is not meant as a slight towards you. You are not Demacian and you are not bound by our laws. I only ask for your understanding - foreigners are quick to judge us when our safety as a nation was only assured by the miracle of the Sisters. Now that I have said so...” He closes his fist, thumping his hand against his breast.

“I hear you, Spirit Walker. Well met. You understand the role of the Dauntless Vanguard well. Our duty is not to hold the line or to fell our foes. Our duty is that of the forward line.

First in, last out. Our duty is to buy time. For this, we must balance resilience with agility. The strength of a mountain cannot come at the cost of rigidity. Neither can we be flowing as the wind and just as ephemeral. There is a balance, a time for each.

Etain blinked and started to shake her head, but even that was enough to make her skull pulse again. Resigning herself to sitting very, very still for the next few moments, she closed her eyes, waiting for the slight ringing in her ears to desist.

“Let’s hope they think so, too,” she said hoarsely, “I was starting to run out of ways to throw them off the trail.”

She swallowed. Her mouth and throat were almost unbearably dry, but somehow the thought of reaching for her almost depleted canteen still made her stomach churn. Instead she leaned back and flicked a hand vaguely in Sev’s direction, still not looking at him.

I.