Corin had been part of the group playing card games, but truth was the dark-haired man hadn't been paying all that much attention to the game itself. For one, strategy and keeping a poker face simply were not his strongest skills, he was far too direct for that, and second; it had been too long since he got to do something that really got his adrenaline going. He was getting antsy, restless. The alcohol helped somewhat and there was one lady in this village who seemed far from displeased by his presence, but if Corin had wanted to settle down, he'd have done that long ago.
He wasn't really part of this group. Roughly two weeks ago they met, during a raid on a bandit camp in which he had been involved, something of which they had not been notified and well, it all went pretty well from there, so he had decided to stay here for a brief while, but the itch for something more intense than just some disorganized bandits was growing.
He, too, was a bit surprised by their sudden company. Unlike the leader of the group, he had no idea who the little girl was nor who her peculiar friends were.
He comfortably leant back in his chair, pint of ale in his hand, and listened to the unfolding conversation, a mixture of mild amusement and curiosity on his face.
However, when the subject of the conversation shifted from introductions to what seemed like mercenary work with a hint of mystery attached. His light eyes looked more focussed now, more intense.
"Who cares why he's there now," Corin said laconically and briefly flashed a grin. "Won't be there for long."
Unless Nazix was sly enough to sneak away before they found him, there was zero doubt in the battlemage's mind that they wouldn't be able to wipe the floor with him.
One of the girl's companions started asking questions, and Corin studied him briefly. As much as the girl had been doing most of the talking up until now, so far this guy came across as the brains of the operation, or at least the one with the most tactical knowledge.
He shifted in his seat. The casual attitude from earlier was now replaced by an interested one.
"From what I've gathered in the brief time I've been here, he doesn't deviate too far from the usual modi operandi," he said, probably speaking before his turn, but technically the leader of the thugs wasn't his boss, and he had heard a few things about Nazix, "only attacks with proper back-up, has both swordfighters as well as archers, knows when to retreat."
He spoke those last words without even bothering to hide the disdain in his voice. Corin didn't like cowards much.
"Bloke also apparently has the habit of changing strategies pretty quickly when he needs to."
He took a sip from the pint of ale and looked at the three. A little girl inquiring about a bandit and traveling with what seemed like a guy who'd seen his fair share of battles, judging by the way he spoke, and a man who was - if Corin guessed it correctly - X'zyri. All of this together was unusual. And all of it reeked of adventure. They had Corin Darbon's undivided attention.