Houses at Odds

**Houses at Odds** is the fourth issue in Series 2 of Paladins Chronicles.

As the developer note attached to the end of Warder's Future states, "*Paladins Chronicles are short stories meant to enrich the world of Paladins & serve as context for future events."*

This story was originally posted here on Paladins.com, and promoted here on the official @PaladinsGame Twitter.

## Story

Rei groggily wakes up, hair and ears in her face, glasses lost in a mess of spell paper. She had been up most of the night studying the latest in kinetic magic to impress – TODAY IS THE DAY! She panics and suddenly rises, snapping her fingers to send a breeze around the room to tidy it up. She bounces over to her lavatory & checks the mirror to spruce up her form. With a clap of her hands, her hair is done up neatly and her makeup returns to its pristine state. She’s been waiting for this moment all year, ever since she pitched it to Lian. It’s time for the first annual Magistrate Parade!

Rei rushes out of her room, various spellbooks in her arms, towards the Magister’s chambers. She’s usually already there to wake up Lian, but her constant study muttering can keep the princess up. As she quietly slides the door open and steps inside, she turns to find Lian already up & expecting her. She squeaks in surprise as Lian chuckles.

“Archmage, you know you shouldn’t be staying up that late.” Lian prods as she finishes pinning her hair down. “I know you’re passionate about all this but you still need to be fit for your responsibilities”

Rei nods eagerly as she sets the books down and assists Lian with preparing her visage. As she does, they discuss the itinerary of the day:

### 10:00 – AICO HOUSE MEETING

Discussions with Khan & the wider Guard about the aftermath of Omen

### 10:30 – AUDIENCE WITH HOUSE ARTUROS

Cassie of Greenwood requested an audience after our interaction at Ascension Peak

### 11:30 – AUDIENCE WITH FERNANDO

Fernando has requested an audience after returning from his “assignment”

### 12:00 – MAGISTRATE BANQUET

Assembly of Houses to honor those who have fallen & discuss yearly proposals

### 2:00 – MAGISTRATE PARADE

A parade through House Aico territory to celebrate our rule & bring hope to the people!

Lian’s concern is evident; the Houses haven’t directly spoken since Aico became home of the Grand Magister and the remaining existing Houses consolidated under them. The sudden reappearance of Cassie & House Arturos is causing so much stress, Rei can barely rub Lian’s shoulders free of it.

“It’s going to go well, I assure you! By the end of today, they all will be praising you,” she states as she takes a moment to adjust Lian’s tiara.

“I get plenty of praise from you, from them I expect respect.” Lian replies in a tone that confuses Rei on which way to take that statement. She lands on tactful flattery.

“Well, the best way to gain respect is to show them our strength. Are you ready for your first meeting, Grand Magister Lian?”

“Indeed I am. Let us begin to shape the Magistrate anew.”

The retrospective meeting with Khan’s forces is brief.

“The presence of both Paladins & Resistance made capturing the fort before the Rift untenable, but Lillith’s deceit led to the loss of the Peak entirely and swayed Lian’s judgment of their failure,” Khan reports alongside the rest of the council of squad leaders and military officials.

“I have made deals with her that have saved lives and brought us stability. However, she no longer is to be trusted. Restrict her access to the Archives & Deepwerks, and inform Vivian of this alteration. She is not an enemy, but neither an ally.” the Magister commands as she gestures to a nearby guardsman.

“What is our strategy going to be moving forward? I have various fronts I can have us hold before Nyx-” Khan begins to lay out various maps, each with different routes and battalions focused around Ascension Peak. Rei can’t help but chuckle slightly when she can see Lian’s attention begin to fade.

“Primus, I do not want a war. My directive is to prevent future advancements of Abyssal and Resistance forces, nothing more. Ascension Peak would’ve been a fine jewel in our Vault but it is of no consequence to us now. Our concerns should be focused inward.” She slowly ran her hands across the plans, shifting troop alignments to form small walls across every entry point to Magistrate territory.

“We can’t hold out against the Abyss forever!” A junior officer cries out from the attending fireteams, to which Lian’s gaze snapped with a cold visage.

“We also cannot defeat them by throwing your lives away. We need…allies. The Paladins aren’t our enemies, and I have a few connections to investigate. Right now, we have time to prepare for the next threat. Overextension will lead to exhaustion, and exhaustion will lead to failure.” Lian’s voice seemed more frustrated than ever before, but Rei couldn’t tell if it was the situation or her forces’ craving for violence. Regardless, the guard silences himself and the meeting adjourns with one clear goal: defend from all potential threats. As the cohorts of guards and note-keepers depart from the meeting, Khan sticks back for a word.

“I fear for your safety throughout today, Grand Magister. You speak with many who I cannot ensure aren’t aggressors.” Khan stands tall, reverting from commander back to protector. Lian smiles, as if seeing a friend’s past before her.

“I know, Primus. I am as anxious as anyone today, but we must be willing to have others in our court. If we wish to succeed where Karne failed, we need politics. I’d love nothing more than to stomp out these…obstacles to a unified Realm. You focus on the Guard’s march, Rei can keep me safe.” On this mention, Khan looks towards Rei for the first time this morning. A silent judgment passes over her, and a sigh emerges from his armor.

“Very well. Mage, you know how to contact me. I shall prepare for the…parade.” His voice sounds both of respect and disgust, a mixture Rei shares with him. After a brief kneel in front of Lian, Khan leaves them to themselves.

“You know, you two aren’t that different,” Lian says in an amused tone, “Have you considered an actual conversation instead of bickering?” She almost seems to laugh as Rei is visibly frustrated, her ears falling slightly.

“I will speak to him candidly the second I feel he sees based on my ability and not my stature,” Rei responds, aware of the potential vulnerability in her statement. Knowing Lian, she’s going to-

“Well, none of us see you for your true stature, now do we?” The expected reply is delivered in a tone that feels somehow both playful and provoking.

Before she can respond with the shove of magic she wants to send toward her ward, a familiar chirp is heard in the distance as both of them return to formality. The doors to the chamber reopen as Cassie steps through, followed by a group of huntsmen. Rei watches as Zigs slowly circles the room before perching on the shoulder of a statue of Karne behind Lian. Cassie approaches the throne and bows.

“Greetings, Grand Magister. I come before you aware of the unprecedented nature of my request. I appreciate your willingness to hear me.” Her voice seems confident yet cautious, Rei can tell their guest is unsure how Lian will respond.

“Your family has a great standing in this Magistrate…standing we were convinced you had forsaken.” The words chosen are designed to test Cassie’s will and set a precedent for future interactions. Lian’s ability to control conversations always amazed Rei.

“I had, for good reason. The Magistrate did not need House Arturos after my father had passed. I promised to go down a different path.” She replies with obvious pain in her voice.

“And yet that path led you right back home. On the battlefield no less, among the Paladins. So, are the rumors true? Have you all returned and do you intend to not challenge our sovereignty?” As these questions are asked, Zigs flies back to his companion, as if to comfort her.

“Yes. We intend to protect the Realm, and the Magistrate is in the Realm last I checked.” Cassie replies unphased. Rei can’t help but be amused as the bird on the huntress’ shoulder begins to swivel its head towards her.

“Good, then we have mutual interest. We will see to it that House Arturos is received at the banquet and given full voting powers for all pending matters. As a friendly suggestion, try not to stand out too much in your first showing back, Cassandra.”

Before she can respond, trumpets are heard from outside as Fernando begins barreling into the court ahead of schedule. Rei facepalms as he pushes his way through Cassie’s entourage and towards the three women at the head of the room.

“¡Hola, mis amigos! I have returned from my latest patrol! I am happy to report that since the great fissure, the ruins of Seris have gone untouched. No Abyssal diablos threaten our borders.” Fernando stood tall & raised his shield to the sky as if expecting praise. Following from behind him, a disgruntled Khan enters to bear witness.

“Good work, Knight! We all greatly appreciate your continued vigilance over the region. It’s…impressive you manage to ensure its safety while also being here for the festivities.” Lian affirms with a bit of a smirk as she nods to Khan.

“You make an excellent point, Grand Magister. Surely Fernando should return for his fourth vigil over Seris to…rebuild the cathedral! Long have followers of the Pyre gone without a place to devout themselves since that fateful day.” Khan grasps at the first idea that enters his mind as Rei can’t help but giggle.

“Oh…of course! I’ll depart right after the banquet, I wouldn’t want the fine people of the Realm to go without their religious outlet!” Fernando responds in his usual confidence, though Rei senses a bit of hesitation in his newly given task. Her magic couldn’t possibly be detecting…past fears? Interesting.

Cassie stands there silently throughout this interaction, only giving a polite wave to Fernando as he heads towards the outside seating arrangements for the upcoming meal. The room stays quiet for a moment as each person takes inventory of themselves. Finally, Lian rises from her seat.

“So, would anyone care for some Aico cuisine?”

The courtyard is vibrant and chaotic, with hundreds of guests and nobles moving through its elaborate lines and tables. House Banners fly on two slides of the castle gates, one for the Houses in attendance: Aico and Arturos. The other is for those no longer around or recognized: Bomba, Karasu, and even older ones whose names have been lost to time. All that remained of those were icons of dragons, tigrons, and a moon. Fernando claims to be from one of these, and no one can prove him wrong. Rei has tried, spending so many nights in the Archives.

Groups form around various individuals: Lian gathers most of the House Aico dignitaries, as well as those seeking her approval for new public projects. Cassie draws an equally sized crowd, mostly curious as to why she has chosen to bring back House Arturos. She avoids both questions and crowds by having Zigs distract them with various tricks. Finally, a group of inquisitive minds have all begun taking notes as Torvald represents the research of Deepwerks in a side exhibition. Rei stays close to House Aico but keeps watch over the others, ensuring everything goes to plan.

Formalities begin as votes on various proposals are put before Lian. The vast majority go by uneventfully, with Lian approving anything that seemed to benefit the people’s perceptions without hurting their vault. One moment of brief concern arises as one member requests a budget for new fishing boats, which Cassie contests due to the amount of processing the Timber Mills will need to do. It resolves itself quickly, much to Rei’s delight, by Cassie offering for House Arturos to handle the material procurement themselves. Though tenuous, the Magistrate may finally have an ally. After the proposals are signed, Lian rises to speak.

“Welcome, members of our fine Magistrate! We’re grateful you all join us in this esteemed keep for the first gathering of two Houses in almost 30 years. It’s an honor to welcome back House Arturos, may the legend himself rest in peace.” A moment of silence is held as Cassie tries to shrink her physical presence.

“However, we look forward to a future he helped ensure. One where our Magistrate stands as a bright symbol of what the Realm can be when unified together in pursuit of stability and sanctity,” As she says this, a small whimper is heard in the distance. The crowd begins murmuring as Lian attempts to continue, “Today, we will start on a new path towards ensuring all threats external are held at bay, and all worries internal are handled with care and resp-”

The nearby table of food is knocked over as a blur of blue light begins rushing through the courtyard. A few people gasp and scream as this creature wiggles its way through their legs. In a moment of panic and desperation, Rei knows what she must do. She drops her transmogrification spell & assumes her Leipori form to race after the intruder. She apologetically hops between people, grateful she’s likely unrecognizable while like this. Eventually, she tackles the creature to the ground and prepares a sigil until it licks her face.

It’s a spirit, one she recognizes vaguely from written depictions and Lian’s stories. As she processes what she’s done, she realizes the two of them are on the ground between Lian and the audience. Before she can process this embarrassment, Luna begins to glow more and more with light until she blinds everyone. Relieved, Rei transforms back into her accepted state. However, when the light fades, she’s now on top of an unfamiliar woman.

“Io?!” Various voices call out from around them, the loudest of which is Lian herself. It’s rare she ever seems caught aback, but Rei could tell this was something she could’ve never imagined. She very politely stands up and offers a hand to the goddess.

“H-hello, Grand Magister. I apologize for the intrusion.” She does not kneel.

“Apology accepted, deity. What…brings you here? We haven’t spoken since-” Lian is off her game, handling questions she wasn’t prepared for in front of everyone. Rei notices and casts her link towards her to soothe.

“I seek to rejoin your Magistrate, on behalf of the people of the Lunar Coast.” The deity asserts while patching herself and anyone harmed by Luna up.

“Rejoin?” Rei takes brief control of the situation, a scholar inquiring about such a fact not out of place. Maybe she can buy Lian some time.

“Yes…at least, I think. I have memories of a House…” Io begins to wander around the courtyard, looking up and down at the various changes the keep has had since her last visit. Eventually, her vision rests on the banner hung above a window, with a cracked moon in the center. “Yes, there was a House in honor of myself! Have you all forgotten?” She sounds both amused and surprised as she lays out this accusation.

“I haven’t,” Torvald speaks up from his resting place at the edge of the seating, standing with books in hand. Rei rolls her eyes. “They used to represent those beyond the Steppes, envoys before Crystal times. However…”

“You all betrayed us,” Io states as if she recalled something from beyond herself. “A long time ago, but today we need each other. I wish to be observed.” These brief moments seemingly have given Lian room to think.

“The Magistrate you describe no longer is. We welcome you as long as you work with us. Let our pasts be the reminder of how much better we can be in the present?” Lian extends an offer out to Io, her shrewd response not fully concealing her insidious nature. Rei catches Io’s distress from when they touched…something forced her here. This makes even more sense as Io is quick to accept. As they do so, two guards take the moon banner down from one side & onto the other.

For Lian, this disturbance turns into a strength as all visitors see their leader shaking hands with a goddess. For Io, this is a sacrifice she has to make for her people, but one she controls. After this public deal has been struck, the crowd erupts into claps as many celebrate. Everyone takes this as a sign to properly eat, finally giving Rei a moment to pull Lian aside. Before she speaks, the Grand Magister leans over for a brief hug. Rei pats her back, quizzically confused.

“Are you alright, my ward?” Rei states with more concern than she’d prefer.

“Yes. Though that was far from ideal, I sense an opportunity shall arise from this moment. We only have to weather the challenges to get there,” Lian pulls away and returns to her usual coldness, “We show strength. We continue, parade and all.”

“Understood! Please, rest and eat.” Rei pushes Lian down into a chair and begins to bounce away to get food. As she does so, she can’t help but feel the smile crossing Lian’s face from behind her. They sit and chat and relax from the tension. As the afternoon progresses, the parade starts and goes off without a hitch! They take Cassie, Io, and many onlookers throughout Aico territory, showing off their frosty hospitality. They don’t expect their skeptical guests to care…but the citizens around them do. The image of the Magistrate is all that matters.

Besides, there is only one message Lian, Khan, and Rei need to share: everyone should join House Aico!

**Directions**Anti-Abyss  •  Anti-Darkness  •  Nature Protectors  •  Neutral
**Groups** Bomb Kingdom  •  Deepwerks  •  Eternal Pyre  •  Followers of Io  •  House Aico  •  House Arturos  •  Outer Tribunal  •  Paladins (Former)  •  Red River Orcs  •  Sentinels  •  Shadow Tribunal  •  Summer Court  •  Tau-Kor Monastery  •  Thousand Hands Guild  •  Warders  •  Unknown Groups
**Noteworthy Items / Forces**Crystals  •  Magic  •  Souls  •  Warder's Key  •  Warder's Relic
**Notable Positions**Abyssal Lord  •  Border Lord  •  Grand Magister  •  Pyre Lord
**The Realm**Abyss  •  Aico Tundra  •  Crosswind Hold  •  The Eight Oceans  •  Enchanted Forest  •  Greenwood  •  Lunar Coast  •  Seris (Village)  •  Temple Isles  •  Trade Row  •  Warder's Watch
**Races**Abyssal Creature  •  Animal  •  Construct  •  Darkness  •  Dragon  •  Deities  •  Dwarf  •  Elemental  •  Elf  •  Faerie  •  Goblin  •  Human  •  Leipori  •  Orc  •  Pyre Creature  •  Ska'drin  •  Spirit  •  Stagalla  •  Tigron  •  Transformed  •  Undead  •  Vulpin  •  Wyrin
**Complete Timeline**Complete Timeline  •  Paladins Chronicles
**Story Arcs**Crystal Arc  •  Darkness Arc  •  Ska'drin Arc
**Time Periods**The Ancient Age  •  The Age of the Paladins  •  The Golden Age  •  The Age of Resistance  •  The Lost Future
**Notable Events**Dragon Scourge  •  Goblin Scourges  •  Golden Age  •  Crystal War  •  Koga's Revenge  •  Destruction of Seris  •  Battle of Ascension Peak  •  Warders Return  •  The Fight of the Shattered Desert  •  Shattered Goddess' Return  •  The Summoning of Raum  •  The Darkness Released  •  Shift of Power
**Other**NPCs  •  Updated Bios  •  Alternate Realities  •  Canon Skins  •  Statues  •  Legends  •  Misconceptions  •  Retcons  •  Character Feats  •  Alpha Lore