"The fuck you want?" he growled, a bottle dangling from his gnarled fingers.
"They want to talk about the ruins," Jorven said. "Paid Karson's tax and everything."
Ren's single eye narrowed. "Nobody goes to the ruins. Nobody with sense, anyway."
"We need to find someone who might be hiding there," Xavier said, stepping forward.
"Then you need a burial detail, not a guide." Ren took a swig from his bottle. "Ain't nobody in those ruins still breathing."
"We'll pay," Naomi interjected. "Double whatever Lord Karson gives you in a month."
Ren barked a laugh that dissolved into a hacking cough. "Money won't help you when you're dead, girl."
"Please," Margaret said. "It's important. Someone we care about is in danger."
Something in her tone made Ren pause. He studied each of them, his single eye lingering on Xavier and Calypso.
"You ain't from around here," he said finally. "Don't know what you're asking."
"Then tell us," Xavier replied.
