Othello and Cobarte both lead the pack of wild dogs to the edge of the Goldlands; both with vastly different mindsets as they waited for Lana and her friends since they would be passing through at any moment. Especially concerning the lioness who told them where the best spot to ambush them would be. "You sure about this? You better not be lying to me." Cobarte said to her, and though the beige lioness didn't much appreciate being spoken to in that way by a canine, she took a deep breath before answering. "Yes, now be patient." There was an edge to her voice that Cobarte did not appreciate, but he also wouldn't appreciate Iago's reaction if he once again failed him. Especially now that Iago and Othello had a Pride of lionesses who have shown themselves loyal; he had best remain useful to Blood's sons if he hoped to continue doing what he was doing.
As for their mysterious ally, there was certainly a motive to her helping them, for she seemed to know quite a bit about Lana and especially David. In fact, her resemblance to David as well as the shared fur color wasn't lost on Othello as she was telling him and Cobarte's pack where the best place to fulfill Iago's orders would be. However, Othello was more concerned about the fact that this older lioness was as beautiful as Julia was, and in fact looked as though she would be an older version of her, which boded well for Kyabe if this was indeed Julia after she returned to the past. But Othello, however, also knew that was unlikely. In any case, she knew David and Lana well enough, and that was what they needed at the moment.
"Here they come. Can your dogs see the signal? More importantly, would our prey be able to see it?" The older lioness inquired, and though Cobarte was unsure of that answer, he was definitely not going to falter in doing so. "They won't stand a chance, even if they can." The goliath said as he could also now see the returning young lions. And all three leader figures could see that said young lions had definitely partaken in fermented fruit juices, and the thousand-yard glares in each of their eyes caused great optimism in each of the three. However, it was Lana Cobarte and Othello had to worry about bringing back unharmed, and from the looks of the older lioness's glowering frown at Lana's sight, they both figured that she had a differing goal in mind.
That would be dealt with later. Right now, Cobarte gave the signal with his howl. Although Othello was happy that diverted the group's attention to their position, this was also not the signal the three of them had agreed upon. In any case, Cobarte and the older lioness moved out of sight, leaving him standing confused as all eyes were now on him. "Othello? Didn't know you could do a good dog impression." Lana said, slurring her words as she did. Even though she was clearly in a giggling stupor, Othello felt his insides turn to fire as she spoke. So much so that for a moment he abandoned the plan and began to descend to the level that the five sub-adults were standing. However, he stopped himself when he considered simply warning them of what Cobarte and the oddly very familiar, yet strange lioness had planned for them. No! I can not and will not be weak again! Othello thought as he changed his game plan on the spot.
And on the spot it was, because just as soon as he caught himself simply absorbing the beauty that was a starry-eyed Lana in the sunset, he thought of an improvised plan, especially since Cobarte had yet to spring the ambush. "Well, Iago is always around them so I figured I'd learn to do an impression?" Othello was relieved that the five lions either bought it or the fruit they drank had simply suppressed their minds to the point of not really caring. Malka especially was quick to change the subject. "You know, I would have liked for you to join us, Othello." Malka said jovially, though it took a moment for Othello to actually register what he just said.
"Yes, really. Look, Lana and Masika both talked to me over the course of this day. And both of them made me understand one thing that perhaps you and Jezebel had already seen." Malka said, his words slurring out being only the secondary reason that Othello was failing to grasp where he was going with this. And then, Malka continued. "As much as I hate him, I realize now that perhaps it isn't him that I should be so angry at. After all, he never truly had a chance to be anything else, thanks to Blood." Malka more growled that name than spoke it, and at this moment Othello knew Blood never had a hope of being Malka's father, beyond just the literal sense. "That bastard wanted a son who would turn out to be just as he is, and he put in the work to get just that. Lana and Masika are right to say that what Iago needed all this time was help. However, I'm just not strong enough, brave enough or patient enough to try and deal with Blood's screw-up. I realize now just how strong Mom truly was, to face up to and then stand by her mistake. I understand now, Jezebel can sit there and make excuses for the way he is. And I understand why you left with him that day, when Mato told Iago to get out." The glower in Sefu's eyes as Malka reminded them all of that horrible day, the day Iago (for whatever reason) attempted to kill Sefu and Khari's younger brother was the day Mato had perhaps given up on trying to reform Iago. The twinge of guilt that Othello felt was now multiplied ten-fold as he realized just what that incident would forshadow. And if that wasn't bad enough, Malka's words kept slurring out.
"Mother's death has made me think much more about what is truly important, and the fact that you and Jezebel stuck with Iago has more than opened my eyes. At the end of the day, you, Jezebel and Iago are all the family that I have remaining. I… I can't let Iago continue down the path that he's going, but at the very least I can do what Mom and Mato were unable to do and reign him in." Hearing Malka say what he is saying, and seeing the silent approval of both Sefu and David; that brought tears to Othello's eyes.
It wasn't because of just how wrong Malka's assessment of the possibility of Iago's redemption was. It wasn't because of the fact that Masika and especially Lana were somehow able to see a shred of light in Iago's soul, in spite of the fact that the scrappy usurper was about to inflict upon them what Othello knew Khari was suffering through as they spoke.
No, Othello's tears were shed for the fact that all five lions in front of him truly believed what Malka just said. And perhaps will keep believing that even as the wild dogs leapt of the brush and dashed right for Lana.