Kima was worried.
Allura could see she was trying to hide it but the halfling had that slightly distant look she got when she reached a place where she didn't like any of the options. She wanted to fight (as always) but she didn't want to leave her Allura alone when Vecna had obviously targeted loved ones, with both Gilmore and Cassandra taken within moments of each other.
Worse was to follow, a short while later when the message came through from Syngorn that the half sister of Vax and Vex, little Velora, had also been taken. Without discussing it, both Kima and Allura had in the back of their head that the first two abductees would concede that capture was a risk for them in the roles. But Velora had been taken solely on account of her blood ties to the twins, further underlining the twisted mind of the newly ascended god now approaching the city; the undead titan he currently travelled upon now only a few miles from the city of Vasselheim.
Allura had been able to send a message to Westruun, to get Kerek to check on Pike's Wilhand. Neither Whitestone nor Emon reported any further abductions, though no-one had yet been to Castle Greyskull to check on Vox Machina's old staff. And the Ashari reported no losses, though the elemental gates were disrupted. But Kaylie's location was unknown, as was Grog's old herd. Zahra and Kashew were also unaccounted for, and the Slayer's Take suspected that many of their members were, at best, out of contact in the field and almost certainly worse in some cases.
To Allura, the fact she was still here suggested that there were no plans to take either of them. Knowing the power that the Gate spell required, Allura had a faint, unvoiced, hope that Vecna had weakened himself in the casting. But the way her luck was ...
The Arcanist herself was worried for Kima - the titan was so very huge as it loomed more and more over the city and there was no telling what was within the titan - there was the whole undead dwarf civilisation that had called it home before Vecna brought Thar Amphala through from the Shadowfell. And Devo'ssa and the Vasselheim wyvern flights that had accompanied him reported that, though they had inflicted great losses on the gloomstalkers circling outside of the Thar amphala, another host of gloomstalkers were visible in the skies around the tower on Entrophis in the centre of Thar Amphala, with a white dragon visible through the green light of the shield that prevented further approach.
Earthbreaker Groon had already marshalled his monks and departed for the walls, as had the majority of the followers of the Raven Queen and the paladins of the Platinum Dragon were assembling to make their march into position - Kima should have already been within their ranks but her worry for Allura kept her by the arcanists side.
"Kima, really I understand. You said yourself that you will be more useful on the front lines. If Vecna was looking to take either of us, he would have done it by now. If I need you, I will message you."
"I know this, Ally. It just feels wrong somehow to leave you, I can't explain it."
Allura knelt before her.
"I'll be fine, I promise. I'm in the sanctuary of the Platinum Dragon." She cupped a hand to the side of Kima's face who looked earnestly back at her.
Whatever Kima was about to say was lost as the acolyte of the Raven Queen who had assisted them earlier came hurrying up.
"Um, Arcanist Vysoren, I hoped I'd find you. As we departed, we became aware of a minor fracas at the main gates. There was an odd couple, a tiefling and a cleric apparently who wanted to find you and were remonstrating with the guards outside. They couldn't seem to understand that the temple is in lockdown ...oh you've gone."
Allura and Kima had shared a look then quickly made their way out, leaving the acolyte behind. It took a few moments for them to reach the gate and as they drew near they could hear the rising tone of the tiefling rapidly losing her cool, brandishing a staff.
"Please guardsman," Allura spoke first. "won't you let them in?"
"With respect, I don't know who you are and I don't know who they are but I know that neither worships a god recognised in the city and at this time -"
"and at this time, Guardsman Toman," interjected Kima, obviously recognising him, "you will release both these people into my care. I do recognise them and they have performed great feats to safeguard both the citizens of this city and many more in the continent of Tal'dorei. Or I can let the Slayer's Take know that you disrespect them ..."
Toman apparently had more to say but held his tongue a moment. His following acquiescence was grudging and seemed to owe more to the gentle heft of Kima's sword than anything already mentioned. "In the grounds only - not within the temple proper."
Kima narrowed her eyes but Allura strode forward and briefly embraced the tiefling.
"Zahra - we were worried about you. About you both," she stood back and smiled at Kashew, who ignored her and glared at the guard. Allura smoothly put an arm around each of them and firmly led them off to the side, unable to stop Kima glowering in his place.
"Allura, we were looking for you," Zahra, having reached whom she needed, just disregarded the guardsman. "We need to get to Vox Machina. We need to help them."
Kashew spoke up. "I remember what imbeciles they were with their plan for Thordak - who know what kind of mess they have got themselves in."
"And yet they always get themselves out," Allura gently rebuked.
"Then at least we can provide support for them. Up there." Zahra shrugged off Allura's arm as she gestured towards the titan. "I'm sure that you can get us up there."
"I'm afraid Zahra that I can't. The shield is blocking every magical means through, and almost every physical attempt. We need it to be taken down from within."
"Then at least work out a way to get us to the outside up there. We can see if there is something that can be down to assist. And if the shield comes down, we'll be on top of each."
Allura shook her head. "I really can't help you - nothing I have would work here."
Kima spoke up, "I may be able to get you a mount ..."
"Yes." Both Zahra and Kashew spoke at once, as Allura looked quizzically at her.
"The wyvern flights have been up for some time fighting the gloomstalkers. If a rider has been injured, they may have come back here for aid." Kima was reaching and Allura loved her all the more for attempting to help out friends, when duty was calling to her.
Kima took the lead, guiding them through the grounds towards the aerie that the aerial flights of wyverns called home. As the group emerged into the open space, the titan was clearly visible. For some reason, Kima stopped to regard it, the others continuing for a moment before realising the halfling had suddenly stopped.
"What is it?" Allura asked as Zahra raised her eyebrows questioningly.
"I- don't know," the paladin replied, "just feels like I should."
All of them turned to look at the titan, the city of Thar Amphala on it's shoulders still high above them despite the impressive height of the Silver Talons Reach. Just as Allura was about to move them onwards, the portion of the shield nearest them suddenly pulsed erratically.
"What the ...?" Exclaimed Kashew, unable to finish as he and the others watched as the shield portion nearest them appeared to evaporate at it's base, the green light dissipating from the ground up as fully one-sixth of the barrier ceased to be. Most of That Amphala remained out of sight but the Tower of Entrophis at the centre was now clearly visible, a green cloud encircling the top. There appeared to be a couple of actinic flashes at the wall where the barrier had vanished then the barely visible bronze outline of Devo'ssa swept through, leading flights of wyverns into the barrier.
"Get us up there now!" Zahra breathed.
The quartet took off at a jog and arrived in a clatter. A few wyverns stared at them.
"Have you ever riden a Wyvern?" Kima thought to ask.
"It will not be a worry," was the non-reply from the Tiefling. Whether or not she and her cleric partner had prior experience, they certainly looked competent as they chose two of the mounts. Kima took a moment to mutter, first over Zahra, then over Kashew.
"Death ward." she muttered, "don't know what else I'll need down here, but at the very least you won't break your skulls if you happen to fall out of the sky. The first time at least."
"Thank you, " Zahra replied gravely, though whether for the ward or the wyvern was unclear
"You know Zee, we don't have to do this. It's probably more reckless than the time you tentacled those fire giants, especially in your current condition."
"My love, it's Vox Machina in another end of the world escapade. Where else would we be but arriving in the nick of time?"
"So many places ..." But the cleric did not complain further, or at least did not complain out loud, as the two finished their checks and spurred the wyverns up and out, as the shouts rang out from those whose duties required them to look after the wyverns only now noticing the irregular riders taking two of their charges.
As Kima ran interference, Allura watched the pair of wyverns fly through the air, their pilots seemingly focused on the titan approaching the walls.
"I wish you both well." She murmured.
Kima returned, apparently giving up on mollifying the charge hands.
"Now I do have to go, Ally."
The arcanist replied, kneeling as she did so. "I know," she said simply. She cupped her hand on on her wife's face again but this time kissed her fiercely. "Save a death ward for yourself," Allura whispered, feeling her eyes water.
"Get back to the war room," Kima responded, her forehead against Allura's.
"I will."
There was a flutter around them as flights of giant eagles took to the sky, now being unleashed.
"Scalebearer Vord will not be happy when he founds out."
"Kima, presuming that we survive the next few hours, I don't think it'll be high on his list ..."
The halfling grinned, then hefted Avenger and took off. As Allura rose to her feet, she watched her wife, the greatsword incongruous as she easily balanced it across her shoulders, the plate armour gleaming.
"Stay safe, my love." Allura murmured, then she turned and hurried off herself, back to the war room.