The sons of Blood followed Korofi as he was lead them around the Goldlands and Riverlands to the lands to the far south. The madrill had been quite clear that stealth was of the absolute essence; if the Pride that lived in their destination were to notice the coalition of males approaching, Korofi couldn't be sure of the reaction of the lionesses. They may very well decide that the tyrant the know is better than the ones they did not, and the benefit and interests of Korofi's plans would see him not risk it.

Upon reaching the border of their destination, Korofi pointed to the large gray mountain-like structure that was visible even from their great distance away. "Here we are; the Rocklands." Korofi said. And 'rock lands' was right, for as far as the eye could see there was nothing but jagged boulders and stones everywhere. The little bit of vegetation that grew here was being mowed down by the massive herds of herbivores, almost faster than it could grow. Iago had never seen so many different types of prey animals, from ungulates like wildebeest, antelope, zebra, and even wild horses to porcines such as warthogs and tapir. Overhunting would never be a problem in these lands; if anything, the surge of prey animals was probably why there was stony, pebbled ground for miles.

"Welcome. I see you kept your word, Korofi." Iago and Othello nearly jumped out of their skins, even if the voice was feminine and feline in nature. Although she did take him by surprise, Iago didn't much appreciate her giggles of amusement, partly because it was at his expense but mostly because that sultry, lust-inducing giggle coming out of the beautiful tan-furred lioness made him think only too much of Lana, and the fact that she consistently rejects him. "Why don't you wipe that smirk off your face, you stupid hoe!" Iago's outburst earned a shocked look from the very pretty lioness and an angry glance from Othello and Korofi, for different reasons. Not this bullshit again. Othello thought as he rounded on Iago. "Hey, watch what you say to her!" Othello warned, much in the same way he'd warn Iago about his treatment of Lana, and Iago noticed that. However, unlike the last time he'd dare to go against him, Othello was now much bigger and stronger than the favored son, and his mother was no longer there to rein him in if he chose to keep defying him. As a result, Iago let it slide, for now.

"I'm so sorry for that. What he meant to say was if you're the lioness that Korofi told us about." At that, the tan lioness looked around, as though checking if the coast is clear. "As Korofi should have told you, I'm Penda, and I'm the one who sent out the call to arms." The lioness introduced, and as she spoke all Iago could think about was how pretty she was, and he was sure that Othello had certainly made the comparisons to Lana that this Penda lioness possessed. He growled as silently as possible, but this still earned him a look from Othello and Korofi that told him everything he need to know about acting on his feelings and urges. That is, to not even think about it. "I see. Well, I'm glad Korofi told us about this call to arms, because between my combat skills and Iago's genius, we'll be able to liberate your Pride in no time." Othello rather proudly stated with a gleam to his baby-blue eyes, to which Iago just rolled his own azure eyes.

However, this lioness seemed to have bought it nonetheless. "There is a strong, fit look to you. And you definitely look like a thinker, and a mean one at that. Come on. We need to get out of the open. The tyrant has eyes and ears everywhere." Penda warned, and urged her three allies to follow her, presumably to plan the coup that she spoke about.

Meanwhile, Malka had wandered through the Goldlands, and eventually ended up in the Kuatan Jungle. He had been walking aimlessly since this morning, lost in thought at what Mato had said to him the day Choyana died.

~At the end of it all, you have lost just as much as Iago has. And, if you both continue to allow your hatred to rule your decisions, you both shall lose much more yet. On this day it was your mother. The next day, it could be someone more precious to you.~

Malka honestly failed to see how his mother's death was on him, for he pointed out that Choyana had chosen to impede the vengeance of a father, vengeance that her son had instigated through his own attempts to kidnap and more than likely rape Lana. Iago deserves everything that Icarus wanted to do to him, especially after the dark lion had warned the foolish, prodigal son about the consequences of continuing to harass and endanger his daughter.

Speaking of Icarus' daughter, however, Malka noticed that he had wandered quite far into the Kuatan Jungle. More than that, he could see Lana and Julia in the distance from his vantage point. More than that, they both were clearly stalking a small primate, and their wiggling behinds as they prepared to stalk closer to their prey enticed him to come closer. However, he did not want to interrupt them while they were hunting, partly because he wanted to enjoy the view but also because, as he got closer, he could also notice that Akato was right there with them. That, and the Goldlander could hear someone speaking, although he could tell the voice was not leonine in nature.

"Scamper! Listen! Twitch!" What Malka could now see was a young colobus monkey recited, looking around. Malka noticed that he seemed particularly inexperienced and nervous, but also unaware that Lana, Julia and Akato were watching him. As he recited this rote memory a few more times, he could also notice that the young, diminutive primate was breaking out into song. Lana placing her paw in front of Akato was indication that she wanted to hear it, too.

*[Scamper, Listen, Twitch.

Scamper, Listen, Twitch.

~~~There's more to life than fear!

And making some predator fat.

I may be tasty, fat-clear,

But so is a freshly grown cabbage salad.

I'm gonna put all my woes away,

And walk around in the open.

I'm gonna travel so far and wide,

That I'll remember that I've been awoken.

For once I'll beeee,

Taking care of meee.

If I get what I want, this little monkey's gone.

A tree of my own, that's my kind of home.

I'd be the biggest boss, in the forest I'm the net loss

If I had my own, I'd never get cross

Because there'd be no sass and sauce.

I'd be snoozing in my treetop haunt,

Never having to scrimp and going for want.

Many miles from this jungle and the gathering team

Looking out for number is all I sought.

That's all I want.

That's all I want!

I've always whimpered and simpered, but now I'm gonna call the shots.

I've always been seen as a walking meal, but now it won't be for naught!~~~]*

Malka smirked, for the small primate was so enamored and engrossed in his song and dance tune that he failed to notice that Lana, Julia and Akato had closed the distance and no surrounded him as he kept singing. "My dream in mi-ind! It's lion time!"

As soon as he realized what he said, and that there were indeed three adult felids surrounding him, the young macaque gasped in abject horror.