The morning sun became dazzling as it shined down on the city of Clegane. This time around, the people felt both surprised and satisfied after a tremendous deed was done. The beast of sorcery is dead and the evil that was talked about in the large city was lifted. The Wolf Queen left Brant to sleep for the entire day, and she walked out of the inn to see the earl. Brant had nothing else to do and nowhere else to go in Clegane because of how much rest he needed.
Earl Argon was eager to give a great bounty to the Wolf Queen for her service in Clegane. He will pay her in full and give as much gold and treasure to her as possible. Lagertha was minding her own business while walking to the palace to see if the earl's life was in danger. Her blade was enough proof that the demons will show fear to her whenever they gaze upon it. Suddenly, the earl's counselor walked up to her with a dozen guards to make her answer a bunch of questions.
"Well, what do we have here? The queen of the wolves and protector of Clegane. What brings you out here in this ungodly hour?" Hectan asked.
"I'm certainly not here for your worthless lectures. I definitely won't be here for long. It appears my presence disturbs you," Lagertha said.
"We're not merely disturbed by you. We know who you are and what you appear to do. Those who walk the night and bring their power here will never be loved by the earl," he said.
"I'm only here to see Earl Argon. Not to be questioned by you or your men. Now step aside."
"I'll let you know this, Wolf Queen. If Earl Argon allowed it, I would kill you here and now. I can simply… put you out of your misery."
"Your fellow knights and guards couldn't take down a massive beast. Let alone, one who conjures dark magic and dominates the minds of his enemies. I killed your beast. I deserve what I came here to do."
"You're a motherless curse, Wolf Queen. You're no better than the demon who brought death and destruction to our very city. You deserve to suffer just like us!"
"It is you who will suffer by my hand, Hectan Horseslayer. Your time here grows short every time you inspect me. I'll also let you know I had a mother."
"You will explain yourself to us, witch! I will most definitely make you talk and force you to spread whatever plans you have to us! I will make you talk, even if I have to make every knight torture you to your bones."
"You think you scare me, imbecile? You're brave or foolish. I'm getting my bounty, and I'm going to that castle."
As she tried to walk ahead of Hectan, she was stopped by the dozen knights who stood with the earl's counselor. They all carried spears to make her bleed if she tried to outrun them, yet she saw no other way. Hectan was the type of person who ran the city with the aid of the earl, yet his appearance made him more terrifying than respectful. Lagertha held her hands in the air and knew she would never be trusted in Clegane. The city was far too holy to be considered a welcoming place for every demon slayer.
"There's no use running away from me, Wolf Queen. You may have achieved your status as a demon slayer, but I serve my king and allow all to serve God. Whatever evil lurks in this city will be made an example of," Hectan said.
"Slaying an innocent horse after losing a jousting match wouldn't be holy. Looking at me with that look in your eyes wouldn't convince me to call you a holy man. You serve God, yet you don't allow a demon hunter like me into the earl's company," Lagertha said.
"You will never deserve the earl's trust. I'll see to that, you bloody heathen. Your days of being a demon hunter are soon drawing to an end," he said.
"Don't be so sure. I've only just begun my time in such a place as this. You don't know what you're doing if you harm me."
"If anyone goes against our laws, they are put to death. Anyone who questions my authority and my reasons for serving the king will be tortured from head to toe. You won't make that mistake, will you?"
"I said you don't know what you'll bring if you harm me. I don't take orders, especially from you. I'm in Clegane on my own merits, now back off."
"I will do no such thing, petulant woman! You are beyond redemption, just like your friend who travels with you. Yes, your soul is damned."
Lagertha knew Hectan went too far and would gladly do it again if it meant breaking her trust with humans. A mere human would have had most of their bones broken by the Wolf Queen if they pushed her to the breaking point. Hectan's men held their spears to her face to make her go with them, to either be questioned or be tortured. Earl Argon would be very displeased if he saw Lagertha in such a humiliating position.
"You will never see the light of day again, whore. You will explain yourself at my leisure. Take her away!" Hectan said. And so, Lagertha had no choice but to abide by Clegane's laws and answer whatever Hectan needed to ask.
Of all the earl's counselors, Hectan was the most ruthless and cunning; his mind's eye was on more than himself. The Wolf Queen wondered what would happen if Brant found out about the humiliating situation she is in. The palace was not far away from the inn, yet the city still seemed quiet during the day. Whatever happened in the night was a time that will never be forgotten, but Lagertha did the entire city a favor. She was brought into the main hall where nobody was visible inside during such a morning.
Nobody in the entire city could wake up after hearing such a battle from last night. It is a time for the civilians to take notice and be warned of what is coming. Suddenly, Howlett quickly walked before Hectan after seeing Lagertha in bondage.
"Oi, Hectan. What's the meaning of this? Why do you have our savior tied up?" He asked.
"Savior? She's an evildoer! She'll never be one of us!" Hectan shouted.
"I never served the demons and never did their dirty work, you moron! I'm here to save you from yourself. I'm here to rid you of the demon king from that castle behind your city," Lagertha said.
"What are you saying? That you've achieved all of this? That you're the chosen one? The hero described in tavern tales? The one sent by God?" He asked.
"Keep your word, and I'll keep mine. I'm no refugee, Hectan."
"How dare you? This is sacrilege. You've never studied our laws. You know nothing! Your healing and your sword are the work of demons! You undermine our faith. You recruit broken men to do your bidding! You'll pay the price with your life, Wolf Queen!"
Suddenly, Earl Argon heard the noises that everyone in the main hall made, and he was very displeased. He never wanted to see Lagertha bound and tied, but he had no choice but to deal with her. He walked before Hectan to decide his fate, yet he had so many things happening in his mind. Lagertha wanted to see if she could help, but she appeared hopeless and could never be trusted by any of the counselors.
"Hectan. Howlett. Leave us!" Argon shouted.
"You think you don't know me, Earl? Do you think you could allow this… woman to do your bidding? You should know that you're letting a dangerous person into our midst!" Hectan said.
"I have spoken, imbecile! Now leave!"
And so the counselor felt weak before his earl and did not want to upset Argon any further. Neither the earl nor his son agreed to have Lagertha locked up, yet he needed to know things from the Wolf Queen. One of them included her true intentions of being at Clegane, other than to defeat Mundis. Then Hectan and Howlett leave the main hall with the other guards before something worse happens. The earl circled the Wolf Queen to have some questions answered; he was being very impatient.
"Lagertha, I need to know the truth. We congratulate you for killing Mundis, yet you have other intentions. What are they?" Argon asked.
"My intentions are not to harm you or your city. I know who controlled this creature, and I know where he is. The demon king who controls the castle behind Clegane is the one you should truly keep two eyes on," she answered.