Lana found it difficult to keep pace with Ni, she was still an wobbly legs after being knocked unconscious the hard way. However, more than that, what was slowing her down the most wasn't any sort of physical hang-up or difficulty. No, it was his words that had tripped her up as they made their exodus towards the Kuatan Jungle.
~ He's no longer the Othello you once knew. No matter what he might say. ~
Ni had said that, and the gleam in his beautiful blue eyes told her that he was telling the absolute truth. However, that truth was one that she didn't much want to acknowledge, let alone confront and face it for what it was. Because, if she did, she would have to admit that there was a serious change in Othello's personality the day Icarus made his mistake. The mistake that Lana knew in her heart had set about an irrevocable chain of events that lead to the current predicament. Yet, at the same time, she did not fault her father for his actions, especially when she considered what she herself would have done if it had been her hypothetical cub. She had no clue what she would have done, beyond make the offending party pay. Really, if she thought about it, her father's real mistake was not persisting in spite of Mato's pleadings. If he had, Iago would be dead right now, and the dogs would have no quarrel with her and her friends.
"Lana." Ni said, getting the dark princess' attention. "Lana, get to cover. And once you do, make your way back home as silently and quickly as possible." He said simply, and that concerned gleam in his eye was present once again. Lana's purple eyes went wide as she was able to make out a very familiar scent. "Magnus?" She said, almost unconsciously. Ni simply stared at her, before the scent registered in his brain that he was indeed among the approaching scents. And then, the tawny-brown coat that wrapped around the above-average sized dog became visible. And his teeth were bared. "Magnus." Lana simply repeated, taken aback by how angry he was at seeing her. "Not gonna lie: clever move, sending Iago on a wild goose chase like that. But, it ends here. You…" As if on cue, quite a few other wild dogs made their presence known just as Magnus directed his attention to Ni. Specifically, more than 20 others appeared, all bearing a range of light brown coats that indicated which of the canine bloodlines they originated from. "… This is your chance to leave without a fight. I would take it." Magnus warned, but though Ni narrowed his eyes in anger, it was Lana who stepped forward. "Magnus, how could you? How could you side with… with him?" To that, the above-average sized dog faltered for just a moment before answering. "I… For the future of my family, and safety of my pack, I must serve my king faithfully. Now, surrender, and I'll ensure your safety." Magnus said, pointedly ignoring the lioness's inquiry. Lana however, wasn't so easily distracted. "And you think Iago is going to provide that safety for you? Even if he was strong enough to do that, you think IAGO is going to care enough about you and your half of the pack? After everything he's done to you. After all that he has hurt you! After all that you yourself has told me he's done to you, you are now choosing to betray your best friend for… for him?!" Lana repeated, the heartbreak in her voice now apparent. Ni had hoped they'd make it back to the Jungle before her absence from the shaman's base of operations could be noticed; before she could hear for herself the awful truth.
Ni knew firsthand about how treacherous others could be. This, in spite of all the memories of their youth the two of them shared, in spite ofconfessing their deepest, darkest secrets to one another without judgment, in spite of the bonds of friendship that had bridged the difference in species and status between two individuals. In the end, every animal was out for themselves. Every insect, every bird, every herbivore, frugivore, carnivore, and omnivore; only one question was pertinent to most animals. "What can you do for me now." Ni said aloud when Magnus didn't answer Lana's heartfelt queries.
"That's it, isn't it? You dogs act like you're so high and mighty, yet each and every one of you are only here because you fear Iago more than you fear Lana or anyone else on our side. What, that scrawny runt is going to somehow cause you more problems than a war with an entire pride? You'd rather risk your lives with me, than deal with whatever Iago is going to do to you?" Ni asked, and as he did, his claws unsheathed and he was absolutely sure to keep his teeth bared as he said this. And, for what it was worth, Ni was certainly not a lion you wanted to see standing against you, for he was quite an intimidating sight. Especially since it was clear that he was fully prepared to defend Lana with his life. As some of the smarter dogs began to back down, Magnus finally assessed his chances of getting past Ni. And though the dogs had numbers on their side, Magnus began to wonder how much that would actually mean in a fight with the adult male lion in front of him.
"You'll regret this. Just you wait." Magnus said, though there was clearly a hint of rueful regret in his voice as he turned and ran, that being the signal to his pack for a retreat. Lana swore she heard a collective sigh of relief from the dogs, but she was still very focused on the way Magnus had acted towards her. She lacked answers, and that was one thing the dark lioness couldn't stand. But for now, she simply followed Ni back to her territory.
And just as soon as she crossed the border did Iago find his way into Korofi's second home. "Oh, Lana. It's time to come out and… play." Iago lost steam and his cocky, taunting attitude at the sight he beheld. And though he could faintly detect Lana's scent in the alcove, emanating from the exact spot that Korofi said he had treated her wounds, he did not see the one he had called out. However, the beautiful chocolate fur and entrancing purple eyes that he was expecting was instead wrapped in a pitch-black mane that was now standing on end with sheer rage. And the purple eyes that should have been full of awe and fear that is due a king was instead alight with the intent to tear his guts out where he stood. Iago was face to face with a very angry, almost crazed Icarus. For about 3 seconds, the entire world had seemed to go quiet, as though in anticipation of the violence that was going to break out very soon.
Iago, as though realizing that, as well as figuring that he'd have nowhere to run, decided that it would be best that he be the one to start it.