Akato had pulled ahead of Icarus just a little bit on account of his smaller, quicker body. And, unfortunately, this meant Akato didn't have the time to mentally prepare himself enough to tell Icarus what he was greeted with when they could finally pinpoint the scent of wild dog and then the sound of the soul-welding roar that filled the air. For when Akato and then Icarus arrived to the battlefield, they were greeted with the sight of about 60 wild dogs forming a literal dog-pile onto David, Malka and Sefu. Although the dogs had clearly suffered casualties, it was by no means enough to thin the still massive pack, and seeing the waterfall of canine fur engulf him was enough to jar Icarus and Akato into action. Kuendesha wondered if the two males even noticed her presence, but as they jumped right over her head in such a way that screamed 'We'll get to you later', it told her exactly what her next move should be.
But in the meantime, Icarus and Akato's reinforcement brought much needed relief to the three males, and the five of them fighting strategically and viciously began to expose the weaknesses of the pack. Icarus especially noted how, unlike a clan of hyenas, there was a certain degree of general apathy in the pack that lead to poor teamwork and coordination. With the element of surprise no longer in play, the dogs found themselves being beaten back with such force that some had begun to scatter and run away. For the ones who stayed, they were met with the claws and teeth of five very angry lions. A select few decided that Masika's unconscious body was an easier target, and each one of them were met with a bite to the throat from either Malka or Akato depending who happened to be closer. And, as the dogs began to lose their numbers, and the attacks began to slow down and then abate altogether, Icarus felt it safe to survey the battlefield. And what he saw was David and Akato attempting to bring Masika back to consciousness (with dodgy results), and Malka finishing off any dog not smart enough to run while they could. But what he did not see was Lana, anywhere on the battlefield. Although Icarus looked everywhere, his eyes focusing even harder than normal due to the early evening moonlight, he had couldn't find any trace of her. "Was Lana with you guys before the ambush?" Icarus asked, giving his best effort not to let his rage get the better of him at this moment. Though Malka's answer was a real test of that. "Othello! Othello must have taken her while we were distracted with those canines!" Malka exclaimed, and the looks of abject fear on Sefu and Icarus' faces matched almost perfectly. At least for the split second that they remained in place, for almost as soon as they processed what Malka said did the both of them take off for Ivory Tower.
Othello paced back and forth, just outside of the alcove in a massive marula tree that served as Korofi's second base of operations. Lana would be waking up sometime soon, and Othello had no clue what he was going to say to her when she did. How would he explain, well, everything to her? How could he tell her which side he was on, and what that would have to mean? As he looked at her still-sleeping form, and absorbed and admired her beauty, he couldn't help but remember how this lioness, beautiful even in her beaten state, had once been a close friend of his. However, at the same time, he then also remembered that this lioness was once possessed of androgynous and ambiguous traits as a cub, and that she had always had her attention on other males, even though she knew how much his heart ached for her. And his heart did ache for her, even after all that has happened. And it was at this point that he knew that he'd never have her love, or even her affection.
I'm sorry Lana. Our friendship is one that I will cherish forever, and perhaps we can possibly still be friends even after this. I have always understood; it is your choice whose love you wish to accept and whom you desire to be with. But, I hope you understand that with choices come consequences. You made your choice, and now I have to make mine.
As Othello thought this, Lana stirred, and Othello turned around just in time to meet the purple eyes that opened and seemed to drain his willpower with their languishing look. "Othello?" She said as she started to stand up and shake away the last of her unconscious torpor. "What happened? How did I end up here?" She asked as she looked around. "And where's Sefu? And Malka? Where is everyone else?" The concern in her voice was growing, and with each question Othello's mind wavered on the decision he had made. But he did not change the course of his mind as he answered. "Don't worry. Everyone is safe; we fended off the wild dogs. Just rest here. I'll go tell your father where you are." As Othello turned to leave, he stopped before formally exiting the den, simply because he knew what Lana was about to say. "And don't worry, Iago doesn't know you're here. I haven't told him anything, nor will I. But, for your safety, I need you to stay here until I return."
On this, at least, Othello was telling the absolute truth.