Iago, Othello, and (to Iago's chagrin) Penda led their new Pride of loyalists back to the Goldlands. He really didn't like how she positioned herself at his side, and posited herself as though she were his equal in front of the lionesses. She is beneath me! She and Othello both are beneath me, but here they are, acting like they run this Pride! They better be lucky that I need them right now. Iago thought as they entered the Goldlands. It was the dead of night, and though the river made all 8 of the new lionesses look even more beautiful, it was Penda that held Iago's full attention. He could only wish that it was because she was trying to upstage him, but he had to be honest with himself here. She could perhaps rival Lana in terms of beauty, and unfortunately could also rival her in arrogance as well. And, just like Lana, she was able to sway a brute of a male into protecting her by just batting her eyes.
And, also just like Lana, Penda had made his one of his brothers turn against him for the chance to be with her, and this time it was Othello. They'd talk more about that when they had a moment, but right now, it was time to divulge his master plan. As Iago turned around, he looked over each lioness in turn, admiring the view of each one before clearing his thoughts. "I want you all to understand one thing. And that is the fact that every single one of you are entering my kingdom, the territory that my father left to me and me alone. I am gracious enough to allow you to live here; I could have left you there with those mangy rogues to be their slaves." Othello rolled his eyes, for he knew in his heart what he and Penda have both just sentenced this entire Pride to. He wondered if things for these lionesses would really be any better under Iago's rule, and he wondered if killing the tyrant of the Rocklands was really for the best. NO! No doubt is to be felt; it will cost you more of your flesh and blood if it lingers. Othello mentally curbed any further misgivings, just in time for Iago to continue speaking.
"Right now, however, we will focus one thing," And as he said that, the smell of wild dog became strong in the air, for the sources of the scent appeared from the golden grasses behind Iago. Each lioness present was agape with surprise at seeing the size of Cobarte, and even the sons of Blood had to admit that he was of unusual size. Even more surprising was the appearance of Mercutio and two other leopards, one male and the other female. Iago continued to speak. "Korofi is going to be completing his half of the deal. The rest is up to us. Stick with me, and you'll have what the others around you will have. What my father before me gave them when he took over from the so-called 'Strongest Lion of his Day': the freedom to do as you please, kill and eat and mate anyone you'd like, so long as you serve my every whim until the day you die." The rallying cheers of the dogs and the leopards told the lionesses and (to Iago's delight and optimisim) especially Penda just what that could mean so long as Iago was satisfied. It was certainly a step up from the lions they had fled from, and definitely better than whatever those opportunistic rogues had planned for them.
As Iago and Othello's loyalists cheered for the success of the two brothers, the rest of the Goldlander Pride was unaware of the trouble brewing on the southern border. In fact, as Mato had already left for his daily patrol and the rest of the Pride had left for the morning hunt, this left Chuma, Sefu and the cubs of the Pride behind to be woken up to a sound he swore he was dreaming of. "Sefu? You awake?" If he wasn't before, he definitely was now. The mute sub-adult jumped to his feet at the sound of Lana's voice, and raced towards her, ignoring the fact that Malka and Masika were also present. His blue eyes still held in them that childlike glee that only a cub could have, despite the fact that he now matched his father's size and his bushy blonde mane had wrapped around his head entirely. As Sefu nuzzled Lana, and allowed her to bury her face into his mane, he couldn't help but let out a purr of pleasure. Malka turned his head, partly because he found himself staring at Lana's backside again, but mostly because he felt some serious jealousy well up.
Maybe one day, Sefu will have to marry whomever Mato and Chuma betrothed him to, and then I'll have my chance. Malka thought, before shaking his head clear of any thoughts on the matter. I'm not like him! Malka mentally repeated until Lana spoke up. "We should get going before the cubs wake up. Come on." She whispered, leading the group out of Ivory Tower as quickly and quietly as possible. Once they were a good distance away, Masika finally asked the pertinent question. "So? I heard today that we're going to a papaya tree?" She lead, and David followed. "Ah yes, Kyabe told me the way to it, but he warned us not to overindulge." At that, Malka hatched an idea in his brain. "And we're totally going to indulge beyond any safe limits, aren't we?" The young man asked, and the sub-adults, minus Sefu, wore the most mischievous expression they could muster. "Oh, definitely." David reassured. Lana spoke up at that moment.
"Hey, Malka. Have you ever had a fermented fruit before?" She asked, and every urge in Malka's body told him to say yes, and try to look cooler in Lana's eyes. Yet, what he did instead shocked him. "I'm willing to try anything once, as I'm sure you remember." At that, Lana laughed that characteristic laugh of hers, and Malka knew that she definitely did remember. "Oh, you looked so good with green highlights in your mane; I wish we could have dyed your beard green, too." She teased, and Sefu's expression said it all. David, however, spoke what he was perhaps thinking. "Oh, yeah, I remember that. At least Mom wasn't talking about the shortage of koalas anymore. But, at least Malka and I could explain. Sefu… could not." David recounted, and the other lions present shared in the mirthful laugh at that memory, especially at the idea that Malka, David and Sefu would put green highlights in their manes.
As they continued to talk amongst themselves, they had made it to the massive Papaya tree that served as Korofi's home base. And the smell of fruity fermentation told the five of them that they'd be in for a good time once they got started.