As Selena drew near the Farrara encampment, she saw that her approach had not gone unnoticed.  The enemy were waiting, formed into ranks of archers, spearmen, swordsmen, and a dozen ballistas, wound and loaded.    Selena stopped walking and waited to see what would happen.  She did not want to find out what the Farrara could do with those arrows and ballista bolts, so she hoped that she was out of range.

"What is happening," Zoltan called, from beneath her left breast.  "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Selena confessed.  "I would like to talk to them.  Perhaps I can persuade them to go home.  They seem to be determined to fight."

"Walk away," said Zoltan.  "You cannot fight a whole army.  Even with the boots."

"I do not intend to fight," said Selena.  "Please be quiet."  Selena  raised her hand above her head in what she hoped they would interpret as a sign of peaceful intent, or perhaps just a friendly greeting.  There was a sudden banging of drums and the winding of trumpets, but no shots were released and the ranks did not move toward her.  Selena continued to watch hopefully and after awhile, her patience was rewarded.  A man emerged from the enemy ranks carrying a flag of truce.  He walked about half the distance between Selena and the Farrara ranks and halted.

Selena lowered her arm and called out, "Come forward, emissary!  I wish to parley!"

The soldier turned toward his comrades and waved his flag over his head.  A trumpet blast sounded in reply.  The man planted the flag in the ground and came forward in quick march, his arms swinging rhythmically at his sides.  The man came until he was about 100 feet from Selena and stopped.

"Speak, emissary," said Selena.  "Why have the soldiers of Farrara come to the lands of Zoltan?"

The emissary said, "We seek Zoltan to avenge an insult upon our royal family.  Where is Zoltan?  You are not Zoltan!"

"I am Selena," was her reply.  "I speak for Zoltan.  I give you this message from him.  My Master Zoltan apologies for the insult he visited upon Farrara.  He begs forgiveness for his crime against the royal princess and offers 300 ounces of gold in reparations.  He asks that the army of Farrara return home in peace and my Lord Zoltan further pledges to respect the borders of Farrara for all time."

From her pocket, Zoltan growled, "I pledge no such thing!  I beg nothing, I will not pay one copper penny to these bastards!"

Selena pressed her hand against her breast to silence Zoltan. 

The emissary was clearly startled by what he had heard and seemed to be pleased to hear it.  He bowed deeply and said with upward directed gestures, "Lady Selena, I know not how you came to be or what you are, but you wear Lord Zoltan's clothes upon your body and those are his boots of power upon your mighty feet.  I cannot doubt that your word is true.  With your permission, I will withdraw and place your proposal in the hands of my commander, Baron Salitra."

"When you leave me," said Selena, "Please inform your master that if he is not satisfied with these terms, he should come here and speak with me.  Lord Zoltan is prepared to consider any reasonable demand if it will assure peace between our nations.  Please go quickly and tell him."

The emissary withdrew and ran back to the Farrara camp, leaving the flag of truce still waving in the center of the plain.

"Surely you don't expect me to keep those promises you made," said Zoltan from the pocket.  "300 ounces of gold!  Are you mad?"

"You have it don't you?" said Selena.  "Back in your castle?"

Zoltan did not reply.

"I expect you to remain silent until I am finished negotiating," Selena said.  "If you cross me on this, I will leave you right here on this spot to fend for yourself."  She looked out toward the Farrara army and saw the emissary approach an officer who sat his horse  a few steps in front of the first rank of archers.  The emissary gestured dramatically as he delivered his message, but Selena could not hear what was being said at this distance.  After awhile, the mounted officer started his horse with a kick and rode alone across the plain, past the drooping flag of truce and approached Selena.

"Lady Selena, I am Baron Salitra," said the officer.  "May I say that  your face and form grace the land upon which you stand so tall.  It is my good fortune to meet a mighty goddess made manifest and a blessing that I have never experienced, except in my dreams."

Selena tilted her head downward toward the baron whose head, even on horseback, rose no higher than her knees.  "For my part," said Selena, "it is my good fortune to meet a gentleman of such refinement and good manners.  I commend your courage in coming before me alone and I am hopeful that by our meeting we can avoid war.  Are you prepared to respond to my offer?"

"I am moved by the generosity of your proposal," said the baron.   "But I find it difficult to believe that Zoltan himself would order such a thing.  Am I in truth speaking to the new ruler of the Zoltan Empire?"

"I act only in the name of Zoltan and the loyal subjects of the Zoltan Empire," Selena replied.  "Are you empowered to speak for the King of Farrara?"

The baron gestured toward the forces arrayed behind him.  "His majesty has entrusted me with his troops and commanded me to obtain vengeance upon Zoltan.  These men are prepared to do what must be done to destroy the ogre, even at the cost of their own lives.  Why would Zoltan send a woman wearing his clothes and his magic boots to oppose us?  Why did he not come himself?  Is he afraid to face us, even in the guise of a giant?  Does he believe that we would not fight a beautiful giantess?"

"I am not here to fight you," said Selena.  "I maintain this giant form only for my personal protection.  I abhor the taking of life.  If you attack my person, I will not attempt to kill your soldiers.  My only goal, and the goal of my master, is to spare our people the curse of war.  Are you prepared to accept my offer?"

"I am inclined to accept it," said the baron.  "I do not wish to see my brave soldiers lay down their lives unnecessarily.  I can order this army back to Farrara, but I cannot be sure my liege lord will trust Zoltan to keep his word any more than I do.  Tell me, did you bring the gold?"

Selena shook her head.  "The gold lies in the treasure house of Zoltan in the Imperial City.  It will take some time to arrange a caravan to deliver the gold into your hands, but you have my personal guarantee that it will be delivered."

"That will not satisfy my liege lord," said the baron.  "We must have proof of your good faith."

"You accuse me of lying?" said Selena.  "I thought you were a gentleman."

"Forgive me, Lady Selena," said the baron.  "But I have no doubt of your good faith.  No man who stood before you and looked up into your eyes could doubt your integrity and high character.  The mighty do not lie.  They have no need."

Selena was puzzled.  "Then why must I prove my good faith?"

"It is for my king," the baron explained.  "He has not looked into your eyes as I have."

"Perhaps a hostage would be sufficient proof," Selena suggested.

"I doubt it," said Baron Salitra.  "Zoltan loves only Zoltan.  The only hostage that would be sufficient would be Zoltan himself."

Without hesitation Selena said, "Then Zoltan it shall be."  She reached into her pocket and took Zoltan out so that the Baron could see him.

"Is that really Zoltan?" said the Baron looking upward and shading his eyes with his hands..  "He does not look like Zoltan."

"It is Zoltan without the trappings of his power," explained Selena.  "As you see, I wear his boots and his clothing."

"Put him on the ground next to me so that I can see his face," said Baron Salitra.  He could hardly believe his good fortune!  If he returned to Farrara with Zoltan in chains and having lost not a man, he would be the greatest hero of the land!

"I cannot put him on the ground while you sit ahorse," said Selena.  "My Lord Zoltan must not be humbled before a lesser man, even a commander of armies.  Dismount and you may meet my Lord on an equal footing."

Salitra laughed and got down from his horse.  Selena bent over and placed Zoltan on the ground next to Salitra.  Zoltan stood silently with arms crossed, staring eye to eye with Salitra.  "You are Zoltan?" asked Baron Salitra.  "Is this woman your new master?"

"I am.." Zoltan began, but he was interrupted by Selena speaking in a loud voice.

"Baron Salitra, I will not allow you to insult my liege Lord," Selena intoned.  "If Zoltan agrees to go with you as hostage, you must promise me that he will not be harmed and that he will be treated with the respect that is due his station."

"Forgive me, Lady Selena…" the baron began, but he too was interrupted.

"You must apologize to Lord Zoltan," Selena thundered.  "Not to me.  Remember your place!"
Salitra was angry at this rebuke by the giantess, but he dared not answer back.  Her height and stern visage were far to intimidating so he fell silent.

"The Lady Selena is as surprising as she is beautiful," remarked Zoltan.  "You need not apologize.  She is far too zealous in defense of my dignity and honor.  Now let us proceed with the negotiation.  If you will accept me as hostage and guarantee my safety, then war can be avoided.  I cannot undo the offense I have committed against your royal family, but I am prepared to make amends on the terms that Lady Selena has outlined.  What is your answer?"

"I have only one other condition," said Baron Salitra.  "The ransom must be delivered by Lady Selena herself."

"That is unacceptable," said Zoltan and he made a sweeping gesture with his hand.

"It is acceptable to me," said Selena.  "My Lord Zoltan's concern for my safety does him credit, but it is my duty to do what I can to end this crisis.  I will bring the gold to Farrara and you will deliver Lord Zoltan into my hands."

"Literally," said Salitra, looking up.  "Then we have an understanding?"

"It seems that  we do," observed Zoltan and smiled ironically when Baron Salitra looked down at him in surprise, for he had addressed the question to Selena.

"If that is the case," said the Baron, looking eye to eye at Zoltan, "Then I shall withdraw and make preparations to receive you into our camp.  When the trumpet sounds, come forward into our lines alone."

"Alone?" said Zoltan wearing a smile. "Are you afraid of my tall friend?  Do you think this has all been a ruse to breech your lines?  I assure you Baron, that if she meant you harm, your armed ranks would be crushed like ants beneath those huge boots.  You are safer alone with her than with me."

"I misspoke," said Salitra.  He looked up.  "I see nothing but kindness in this face which hangs over us like a full moon.  But I ask that you come separately.  At the first trumpet, Lord Zoltan should enter the camp.  At the second trumpet, Lady Selena should come forward.  Is that acceptable?"  He lowered his gaze toward Lord Zoltan.

"It is acceptable," said Zoltan.

"Leave your horse with us," said Selena.  "You may walk back to your camp, but Lord Zoltan shall ride as befits his station."

Zoltan grinned.  "Is she not a treasure?" he said.

"As you wish," said Salitra.  "I will go to prepare to receive the both of you in our camp.  My Lord.  My Lady."  Salitra touched his hand to his steel helm and began walking toward the camp.

When he was out of earshot, Zoltan shook his fist at Selena.  "Liar!  Treacherous bitch!   I knew you would deliver me into their hands!  I knew it!"

Selena regarded him with a patient smile.  "Thank you for behaving yourself during the negotiation," she said.  "I was afraid you were going to refuse."  She knelt down near him so they could talk more easily.

"You left me little choice," Zoltan replied.  "It was acquiesce or be humiliated in front of my enemies by my so-called servant."

"How have I humiliated you?" demanded Selena.  "Did not insist that you be treated with the honors due an emperor?"

"Indeed," said Zoltan.  "But the Baron suspects the truth already.  It is you that sits on the throne while I merely sit on your knee."

"It is not true," said Selena.  "Do I not treat you with respect?"

"How can you respect a man that you hold in your hand?" asked Zoltan.  "How can you respect a man who is no taller than your ankle?  How can you respect a man over whom you hold absolute power?"

"You have a strange way of looking at things," said Selena.  "In every day life, men trust other men with their lives.  Men trust their wives not to poison them.  Wives trust their husbands not to strangle them.  Children trust their parents not to drown them.  Without trust, how could human beings live alongside one another?"

"I trust Baron Salitra," said Zoltan.  "But I am not sure of the King.  When Salitra presents me to his master, the king will want to put me to death immediately.  Everything will depend on the Baron's powers of persuasion."

"I realize there is some risk," Selena admitted.  "But it was your crime that brought an army into your land."

"It was your crime that deprived me of my power," said Zoltan.  "If I had those boots on my feet right now, I would send this army of heroes back to their mama's with shit in their breeches!"

"And you might be killed," said Selena.

"Not likely," said Zoltan.  "Not even a ballista bolt can penetrate those clothes you are wearing."

Selena was astounded.  "Is this true?"

"I told you they were enchanted," Zoltan reminded her.  "You are nearly invincible, my dear.  Without the protective spell in those clothes, I would have been dead long ago.  I have fought bigger armies than the one you see before you and sent them packing."

"There is no protection for the hands or for the face," Selena remarked.

Zoltan pointed to her belt.  "In that satchel is a hood and a pair of gloves.  When you don those, no arrow, no spear, no bolt can touch you."

Selena opened the case and removed those items Zoltan mentioned.  She stood up and slowly put them on.  The hood slipped down over her head and she adjusted it until she could see out the eyeholes.  She then pulled on the gloves and made a fist.  They seemed like ordinary woolen gloves.  "This is incredible," she said.  "But can it really be true?"

"It is true," Zoltan assured her.  "If you wish, you could walk up to their formations and trample them underfoot before they realize their weapons are useless against you.  Most of them would escape, but they would be too terrified of you to challenge your power again."

Selena started to remove the hood.

"Keep them on," said Zoltan.  "Attack the camp.  Do it now before they are ready."

Selena put her gloved hands on her hips and looked down at Zoltan with a disappointed look.  "You want me to attack an army while you watch from safety?  No thank you, Zoltan."

"You cannot be harmed," said Zoltan.  "There is no danger."

"You cannot be sure of that," Selena pointed out.  "You are assuming they do not know of the enchantments that protect the wearer of these garments, but you may be wrong.  They may have a spell that will neutralize my protection."

"There is always some risk of that," said Zoltan.  "But it is not likely.  You are too timid."

"Suppose you are right?" said Selena.  "I will have to kill hundreds of them.  I have never done anything like that and the thought is revolting.  It is far better that we stand by our agreement with Baron Salitra.  You will not be a prisoner for very long, and you can be sure they will honor the agreement at least until the gold is in their hands.   And they will not have the gold until you are safe in here."  Selena touched the spot below her left breast where the inside pocket of her jacket lay.

"What if you are wrong?" said Zoltan.  "What if their thirst for vengeance overcomes their greed?"

"Then you will die a hero," said Selena, smiling.  "I will avenge your death and we shall raise a monument in your honor in the capital city."

"If you are going to avenge me, you had best wear the gloves and the hood when you enter the camp," said Zoltan.

"I shall wear the gloves," said Selena.  "But if I walk into the camp wearing the hood, they will believe that I am going to attack them.  However…" she pulled the hood down, adjusted the eyeholes, then carefully rolled it up so that it sat upon her head like a cap.

"Very good!" said Zoltan approvingly.  "If there is trouble, you drop the hood quickly into place!"

"My thought exactly," said Selena.

"I have another suggestion," said Zoltan.  "If the baron is planning a trap, he may intend to kill me when I enter the camp.  You should go first."

"They will suspect treachery," said Selena.  "The baron specifically said you were to enter the camp first, alone."

"What difference does it make?" said Zoltan.  "Unless he is planning treachery.  It is obvious to me that he only wanted to separate us so that you cannot protect me.  Once I am dead, he calculates that you may be afraid to attack him and if you do, he calculates that he can kill you with his archers and ballistas and spearmen.  You might kill a few hundred or a few thousand of his men, but he would consider that a worthwhile price to pay in order to destroy me."

Selena considered this for a moment.  "It seems unlikely to me, but it might be best if I went first to be certain that it is safe for you to enter the camp.  If he is planning treachery, it will foil his plans, and if he is not, he will merely be annoyed with me for misunderstanding his instructions."

"I agree," said Zoltan.

A few minutes later, a trumpet began to sound within the camp.  "That is the signal," said Selena.  "Get ready, but watch my hand.  If I raise my hand over my head, you should take the baron's horse and ride to the capital as fast as you can.  I will follow when I may."

"A good plan," said Zoltan.  Zoltan mounted the horse and held him with a tight rein while Selena began the walk across the plain toward the Farrara camp.