AN: Hi! This time the political fight becomes really tough as the electoral campaign comes to an end and there are still lots of undecided hyenas. Spying, black propaganda, street fights - it's a casuality in hyenas' world.

And what the chapter's title means? Catharsis is an ancient greek term meaning a strong, life changing event that affected the morality and or freed the one from its insecurity. It was an objective of ancient greek tragedy... And well, here it will be much the same. Once more the art will affect the folks... or will it? Is it stronger than the hatred and pain? Or it may only stir up the emotions? Check!

PS: The text in italics comes from ancient greek play "Prometheus Bound" by Aeschylus. It's quite similar to the play in the text, so I decided to incorporate some parts from it. And the song from Hillary and Sajjana's scene is E. Stachura's poem "Tango Triste".

Chapter 10 'Catharsis'

I have found power in the mysteries of thought,
exaltation in the changing of the Muses;
I have been versed in the reasonings of men;
but Fate is stronger than anything I have known.

Euripides, "Alcmene"

'Leave this place, Saj! It isn't your fight!' Hatyara yelled.

'Yeah, Saj! Disappear!' Akela yelled

'Back off! Both of you, idiots, what are you thinking? You want to be responsible for injuries or death of your people? Just because you can't get along with a meat? What a kind of matriarchs will you make?' Sajjana yelled. 'Shame on you!'

The members of both parties looked nervously at each other. The growls were silenced.

'I have to save my clan from the enemies.' Hatyara shouted back.

'Good. I don't want to spill the blood in the Saint Place. Blokes, fall back. Akela, shut up!' Hillary exclaimed. His soldiers unwillingly prepared to leave.

'No! One elephant will be for Akela and second for Hatyara. And you'll give half of meat to the Sanctuary.' Sajjana smiled. 'And now, go to work! I'll watch you.'

In the next days the manifesting hyenas clashed a few times with the guards. Hillary shipped the illegal meat to the Hyenas' Gorge through some secret tunnels. Hatyara was too proud or afraid to appear personally on the meetings with the low-ranked hyenas, but her supporters were very active.

Akela met and talked with over hundred hyenas in last three days. She was tired, but Hillary was always with her, supporting her when she felt weak or sad. She saw the skeleton-like mothers tugging even thinner cubs, usually with ill eyes. The malnutrition usually attacks the eyes and stops the brain development. It was hard to believe but those poor cubs, thought to be simply stupid, turned out to be normal, the intelligent cubs after just a few good meals over the week. Like a small miracle. And she was called a miracle-maker.

She nervously hugged the thin hyenas, as if she was afraid that she will broke them. She was even on one hunt with them. They managed to hunt a decent gazelle and the tax-collector who shadowed them was too afraid to come closer. A small victory.

On the evening they arrived to a spacey cave. In the cave there was a small crowd of hyenas. Akela stretched her neck to see what they are looking at. They looked at the two hyenas appearing on the large boulder in the center of the cave. One of them was Avanavum – he caressed the female hyena, licked her fur and made very suggestive moves. The female was also very flirty. The hyenas were yelling, visibly rooting for them. They also threw small pieces of meat to them. Avanavum ate one of those scraps from his partner's lap.

'They are having sex? I didn't agree to come to such places.' Akela whispered to Hillary.

'Akela Mahima came to you.' the commander yelled. The hyenas stopped shouting and bowed to Akela in adoration. Hillary pushed his mate to the centre of the crowd and put her on the boulder abandoned by Avanavum and his "acting" partner.

'I'm really glad that you visited my… business, majesty.' Avanavum yelled. 'It's my wife, Daru.' he presented his "acting" partner, who now looked a bit ashamed. 'I'm so happy that I can combine love, pleasure and profit in one 'he giggled and Daru blushed, gently kissing Akela's paw.

The matriarch's daughter felt uncertain. Everybody looked at her like at a goddess.

'I spent a few weeks among you, seeing your poor, hungry cubs, seeing how aristocrats are taking your food, treating you cruelly and unjustly. I was terrified that somebody can be treated in such way. Even now some of your friends are beaten by the guards because they wanted to show their disagreement with nobles' politics.
It has to end. If I become a matriarch, I'll fight for a more equal food taxes. I'll stop the nobles' corruption and negotiate allowing your representatives to the aristocrats' meetings. It isn't true that all nobles are evil. Most of them live in the separate world and know nothing about your life. So was with my friend, Śaktiśali Chimbwe. Come here, my friend.' Akela nodded on Śakiśali.
She approached to the boulder.

How did she appear there? Sajjana was very thankful for informing her about the fight. The priestess also asked Śaktiśali to look after Akela in the same way as Ghamandi looked after Hatyara. Śaktiśali didn't agree at first… but she wanted to help and she owed a lot to Sajjana… Only the priestess was there to soothe Śaktiśali after the death of the noble female's mate. During a few last days she saw lots of suffering… and lots of hope. She wanted Akela to win, to change anything. She still regretted that Sajjana wasn't a candidate… but she had to stick to the reality.

'I'm happy that I could meet and get to know you.' Śakiśali said and the hyenas greeted her with happy yells.

Akela continued her speech for a few minutes and then she had small talks with all the hyenas.

'Madam, I'm really glad to meet you.' Avanavum said. 'If you want any of our "services", I'm here for you.' he smiled.

'Avanavum!' Hillary growled.

'Okay, sir! I wanted to be kind!' the male yelled. Akela nodded gently, giving her best grin in response. And in the midnight she sneaked to Avanavum's place. His services were great…

Hillary stayed alone in his cave. He cuddled to his bed – he knew very well where Akela went on her "walk". He was very tired and his eyelids were so heavy…

Suddenly Sajjana appeared in the cave. She was beautiful and looked as if she was surrounded by a bright aura.

Hillary smiled to her. After the civil war… and tortures during the captivity… something bad happened with him. He was always wearied… he couldn't really feel pleasure…
And the trauma made him an impotent. Just like that. It was in his head, he felt it, but he couldn't fight with it. It was so humiliating… Akela was making it even worse, after so many broken promises he couldn't look at his wife, especially in a sexual way…
And then he met Sajjana… He felt his own strength again. Every time he met the priestess he felt great, young and happy. She managed to find it in him. And he loved her for that.

Sajjana gave Hillary her paws without a word and they started dancing.

'It was just like an eclipse of sun in the heart
Suddenly she stopped seeing me
It was just like an great earthquake in the mountains.
Suddenly she stopped hearing me
It was just like
Like in the ocean lighthouse
a wandering bird was crushing.'

A hyena trio started singing that song with a dramatic, tense voice.

'The greatest gleam flung me to the greatest darkness
In the deepest night I dance to the blackest day'

Hillary caught Sajjana in her slim waist and lean her out, almost touching the ground with her head. She chuckled and Hillary drew her to him. They kissed.

Tango – the mournful song like after locust.
Tango – It's a sad thought that you're dancing
With a ball and chain of the damn memory
With a sharp blade stuck in the back to its end
With your eyes overfilled with insanity…'

The song suddenly ended. The trio disappeared. Sajjana disappeared. Hillary was left alone, hardly believing that it was just a dream. It was so real… so wonderful…

'SAJJANA!' Hillary yelled and started crying.

Every day Ghamandi met at the Graveyard with Śaktiśali. They reported their work to Sajjana – the priestess gave them orders on the next days.

Ghamandi and Śakiśali spent their nights in one of the empty priests' cave.

'Oh Goddess, I love you so much.' Śaktisali whispered once, cuddling to Ghamandi. 'I didn't suspect that I might love somebody that much…'

Ghamandi just smiled in response. He kissed his lover.

It was kind of irony that the hard work for Sajjana bounded them more that the previous five years of familiarity. They enjoyed every second they managed to cut out from their tight schedule.

'I love you too, Mahonara.' He called her "gorgeous". She giggled and returned the kiss.

'I'm so happy that you are still working for Sajjana… I feel that we're doing something good, something for our clan…'

'Yes… I get used to being with Akela and Hillary… Sometimes I think that she would really be a good matriarch. She seems so caring.' Śaktiśali said

'It might be just an electoral trick. She knows nothing about ruling and is Hillary's puppet.'

'What about Hati? She's hateful, cares for nobody; she's bloodthirsty and seeks war! How can you defend her?' Ghamandi responded, discontent.

'I'm not defending her! I'm just telling that she isn't male's puppet. You should know how humiliating it is. And Hatyara is pretty well informed about the clan's issues. She advised the matriarch.'

'Humbug! She's evil!' Śaktiśali seemed offended.

'Mahonara, are we going to quarrel because of the hyenas we are spying? It's an absurd…' Ghamandi stated.

'God, you're right.' Śaktiśali embraced him and nuzzled. 'I'm sorry, dear.'

'I'm sorry too. We just have to be careful. No political talks in the free time.'

'Agreed'

The time of the electoral campaign came to an end. The elections were set on the day after The Past Matriarchs' day. Garva was extremely busy as he had to prepare a mystery play for the celebrations. Almost all the clan would watch it.

'Sir, who I'm going to play?' one of the actors asked.

'What the hell? I didn't get you involved! Get lost!' Garva whined. 'Hey, you! Did you learn your role?'

'Eh, man, stop being so pissed-off! Cool your ass down!'

'Yes, yes.' Garva rubbed his forehead. 'You're fired' he said it, being as calm as cucumber.

'Eh, man! I liked you more being pissed-off.'

'You're a new matriarch Mahima.' Garva said to an old stern-looking female.

'I don't work here.' she answered harshly.

'Ah, you should. You have a great talent in looking scornful. I need such hyenas.' Garva sighed.

'I am scornful.'

'Hey, Garva.' Hillary yelled. 'May I present you Majalu, my friend.' he pointed at the stern-looking female. She reacted with a cold smile. 'I came here to tell you a small story that may inspire you.'

'I've already chosen the play, Hillary. It's old but I don't have strength for more.' Garva admitted.

Majalu told him a story. He cheered up a bit, as the story was really well-narrated.

'I won't have enough time to finish making it.' Garva murmured.

'I'll leave you Majalu. She's a great organizer.'

'Come with me, floppy guy. We have a lot to do.' Majalu said. 'YOU! YOU! AND YOU! LEAVE THAT PLACE! NOW!' she yelled at a trio that senselessly wandered around the place.

Almost all the hyenas from the clan gathered on the slope of the Elephant Graveyard to watch the mystery play. Banzai found a place on the small shelf and helped Shenzi to climb up. The small cub found a good sightseeing point on the Banzai's neck. They sneaked out of the cave to see the play.

'Wow! Those crowds are amazing!' Shenzi yelled.

'I can see Akela and Hillary from here!' Banzai responded.

After a while the play started. Two characters appeared on the stage: The majestic matriarch, painted red (a royal colour) played by Majalu and the general Saman'ya (her nephew) played by a female.

'No way! Saman'ya was a male!' Suravira screamed, but his yells were silenced by the applause. Alighana hugged him and he calmed down a bit.

'My majesty: I led your forces to the victory against our enemies again. The lion king supported us.' Saman'ya said.

'Ah, Kinship and companionship are terrible things.' the matriarch answered. 'You're so stupid. I asked you to withdraw, leaving the lions alone. Now they won the battle and their strength grew. And your stupid companion and mate found the death on the battlefield, becoming a hero. Now he's more praised than me! A male! What can you tell me?'

'Madame, I couldn't leave my allies. It's a great dishonor. And the royal battalion always values the honor. And my mate was a hero.'

'What are you going to do, Saman'ya? Do you want to become the next matriarch?'

'No, majesty. Many hyenas asked me to do that, but I pledged allegiance to you and I will never betray you.' Saman'ya said.

'Of course, I don't deny your loyalty. You can leave now.'

'Huh! What nonsense! Did he think that I will believe him?' the matriarch said when she was alone. 'Minister!'

'Yes, my glorious majesty? The clumsy silhouette of the minister appeared on the stage.

'I hate that matriarch. She's like Dhabba. And Hatyara.' Shenzi growled. She wasn't the only hyena having such connotations.

'My glorious majesty, are you sure? We're scheming against the hero of our clan.' the minister said.

'You filthy coward. Your speech and your appearance – both alike.' the matriarch scoffed him. 'Just obey my orders.

'Yes, my glorious majesty.'

The plot developed. The minister found a traitor in the battalion's ranks, who falsely accused Saman'ya of profanation of the Saint Place. The audience was furious. The accusation was a fake, but was a good excuse to sentence Saman'ya. He was left alone in the desert, tied to a boulder. His soldiers bided a last farewell to him. Saman'ya gave a last speech to his friends.

'The hyenas brotherhood, justice, piety - I established in them blind hopes.' he said. 'But I don't resign from them even facing the death. Some of you proposed to save me, but I didn't agree. I didn't want to undermine the matriarchate authority.
Even if the one matriarch makes the bad decisions, it doesn't mean that the matriarchate is wrong. I love the matriarchs and the Divine Matriarch in heaven. I don't want to die as a traitor and a bad hyena. Goodbye, my friends. I'm sure that we will meet again in the heaven.'

The audience exploded. Some hyenas cried, some yelled swearwords on the matriarch.

'Hatyara, stop torturing my father!' Shenzi shouted from the Banzai's neck. In her head the bad emotions of the play associated with all the bad emotions of her life. Banzai embraced the crying cub.

'Your speech returns me clearly home.' one of the soldiers said in the end of the play.

'Hillary, lead us to victory!'

'They killed our friend!'

'Murderers!'

Hatyara backed. Her guards managed to move her out with all her supporters. Ghamandi warned about some clashes, so Maharashta placed the guards around the place. But when the crowds attacked, the guards ran away.

Hillary climbed up the stage.

'Friends! Stop it!' he yelled. 'We will win in the elections, not in fight.'

'How do you dare to fight in the saint day?!' Sajjana shouted.

The crowds slowly dispersed. Avanavum and Suravira led the hyenas to the exits.

AN: Don't forget about the reviews :) An update tommorow.