This must have meant something to all for Welbrix and Galbdor immediately turned and started moving through the leaves and fallen boughs between the trees, and with a tug of my hand, True and I followed.

“Watch your step,” True murmured.

I often went barefoot in Firenze, and only if necessary, wore sandals.

Here, footwear was essential, as was warmer clothing.

Thus, Mars had had an extensive wardrobe crafted for me, and that day, I was wearing a gown made of the deepest green velvet with an overskirt at the back made stiff green taffeta embroidered in gold. It had a square neckline that showed the cleft of my breasts (but barely) that was edged in a thin ribbon of gold lace. And the overskirt was held in place by a crisscross of sage-green satin ribbons that started beneath my breasts and went down to my waist.

My feet were in slippers, something that True frowned upon, stating I needed boots, especially while riding.

However, as not many wore boots in Firenze, this was not thought of (in fact, I was grateful to Mars for even considering my need for a warmer wardrobe at all for that would not have crossed my mind), and by the time it was, it was too late.

True shared that in our wanderings, we would traverse through a village that had the finest cobbler in all of Wodell, and we would order several pairs while we were there.

We had not yet been to that village.

So I now wore sage satin slippers with gold embroidery around the rims and soles of supple but thick suede.

Even though I’d found the soles proved hearty protection against damp, dirt, twigs and even stones, the slippers were not warm.

And they were definitely not the footwear to traverse a forest floor.

True, as was his nature, held strong to my hand and walked slowly beside me with great patience.

Welbrix and Galbdor did not have the same patience.

“You should carry her on your back,” Welbrix suggested crabbily to True.

“I will help you ride the vines, my princess,” Galbdor offered.

“I would like to learn to ride the vines,” I told Galbdor.

His faced brightened.

“You are not swinging from vines,” True growled.

I liked my True. This was because he was likeable. Kind-hearted. Attentive. Solicitous. Chivalrous.

But it must be said, I liked he had that part in him—the growly, decisive, manly part.

It gave me such a lovely shiver every time that came out.

“Touchy, touchy,” Welbrix muttered.

I heard the men fall in behind us, signaling the horses had been secured.

And a little distance later, I jumped when I caught unusual movement out the periphery of my vision.

Another gnome was swinging vine to vine.