He offered to help her up.

She takes his hand, hopping on.

Ash got on the cold behind her, a silent, watchful shadow, one hand resting casually on his sword hilt. Everything, from his eyes, to the chill in the air as they passed, to the calm lethality on his face, was a warning: this wasnt someone you wanted to mess around with. Even though he had been exiled and was no longer a prince of the Unseelie Court, he was an imposing warrior, still the son of Queen Mab, and few dared challenge him.

But at the mouth of a narrow alley, a redcap gang appeared, blocking the exit. They were short and stout, evil dwarves with bloody red hats, their eyes and jagged fangs shining in the darkness.

Ash stopped the colt and in one smooth motion eased off, stepped in front of them, and drew his sword, bathing the alley in flickering blue light.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then Ash gave a dark, humorless chuckle and stepped forward. "We can stand around looking at each other all night," he said, locking gazes with the biggest redcap, who had a stained red bandana on his head and was missing an eye. "Or would you like me to start the massacre?"

One-Eye bared his fangs. "Keep your pants on, prince," he spat, his guttural voice like a dogs snarl. "We got no quarrel with you." He sniffed and brushed his crooked nose. "Just heard the rumor you was in town, see, and wed like to have a few words with the lady before you go, thats all."

She frowns, hopping off the colt and walking over. "What's up?" She asks.

Ash kept his sword out, his eyes never leaving the redcaps, but his free hand reached back and gripped Claire's. "Fine. Say what you came to say and get out of here."

One-Eye sneered at him, then turned to Claire. "Just wanted to let you know, princess--" he emphasized the word with a toothy leer "--that theres a bunch of Iron faeries sniffing around the city looking for you. One of them is offering a reward for any information concerning your whereabouts. So Id be really careful if I were you." One-Eye pulled off his bandana and gave her a ridiculous, mocking bow. "Just thought youd want to know."

"Thank you for telling me." She says.

"How can I be certain you wont run to them with our location?" Ash chimed in, his voice flat and cold.

The redcap leader gave Ash a half disgusted, half fearful look. "You think I want these Iron fey on my turf? You really think Id want to bargain with them? I want every one of them dead, or at least out of my territory. I sure as heck aint going to give them exactly what they want. If theres any way I can throw a wrench in their plans, Ill take it, even if that means warning you to spite them. And if you manage to kill them all for me, hey--thatll make my evening."

She nods, "Makes sense to me."

He snorted, then turned and spat on one of his flunkys shoes. The other redcap snarled and cursed, but One-Eye didnt seem to notice. "Anyway, there it is. Last time I checked, they were nosing around Bourbon Street. If you do manage to kill them, princess, tell them One-Eyed Jack says hello. Lets go, boys."

"Aw, boss." The redcap who was spit on smiled at Claire and licked his fangs. "Cant we chew on the princess, just a little?"

One-Eyed Jack slapped the offending faery upside the head without looking at him. "Idiot," he snapped. "I have no desire to pick your frozen guts off the pavement. Now move, you stupid lot. Before I lose my temper."

She chuckles, watching them go.