I am horribly confused as to what happened-I’ve reread that 3 times and still don’t understand what TF is going on. So our resident magician is giving a juggling show, rolls a fumble while doing so, and all of a sudden the bonds of the prisoners have been cut by some unseen magical force and they’re on the run again?
Or do we have a betrayer in our ranks? 
Yes. Something happened inside the cloud of smoke, and now the prisoners are free.
Hawkins can be heard coughing “Bugger!”
“Oh, Christ’s bollocks, what the *faen *is going on now ?! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING !”
Where are the soldiers running to, exactly ? Does it seem like they’re gunning for us, or running after the prisonners ? Are they pulling weapons ?
“Sigh.”
Entangle. Cast such that when it takes effect it will be centered around the prisoners.
The soldiers are running at the prisoners. They were already carrying spears; they’ve got them to hand already.
As Joseph coughs and hacks inside yet another cloud of Hawkins-smoke, he makes a mental note to stop standing near the man.
Alright then.
“Oh, no you don’t, you old wart ! You can escape AFTER I get paid !”
I’m going to try and Charge Umberto and try to Trip him, using Ingrid as a makeshift shepherd’s crook to hook his leg
I approach Zachary from behind. I have my sap out. I speak loudly enough to be heard by the group.
“You seem to be having a clumsy day, my friend. Perhaps you should sit down and not do anything more.”
The Brute runs right at Maria, ready to make a flying tackle as soon as he’s close enough. He’s got that barbarian speed bonus, so it shouldn’t take too long.
Taye shouts, while moving towards Hawkins
“Take care that the soldiers do not kill them. This could be a ruse by the Doge to keep from paying! He may be trying to claim his own men did the capture! The man did seem as trustworthy as a viper!”
The five party members and the soldiers are hot on the Marionis’ heels. A Color Spray knocks down two of the soldiers, but Harald and the Brute are gaining quickly. Umberto Marioni’s hands scrabble at the sleeve hems of his robes, and a trail of thin white fluid begins dripping from his skin. The fluid bursts into flames as it touches the ground, leaving a trail of fire behind him!
The surprise round is over, and everyone can act now.
“Oh, choices, choices, whether to huff and puff along behind our fleet-footed fugitives again, or stay where I am and not be sapped about the noggin.” sits down “Should trouble head my way, I presume I am allowed to defend myself?”
You know, he’ll go blind if he keeps doing that.
Anyway, who does he take me for, The Hound ? Like I’m afraid of running through a little fire to thump on his crusty old head. Plan unchanged. Chase, trip, knock the faen out. If I have to run through (some of) the fire, so be it.
(I won’t go out of my way to run though it of course - if I can run parallel to the trail of fire without losing a ton of ground, I’ll do that)
If Maria was running at an encumbered pace and also spend an action to cast color spray, then Joseph should be able to close the distance to casting range.
Joseph mutters something about amateurs and takes off after the fleeing pair at a sprint. As soon as he’s close enough, he skids to a halt and casts solid note just in front of Maria.
Maria runs headlong into something unseen as she sprints away, bowling her over into the dry grass. Harald, rushing headlong through the flames (3 damage), dives and tackles her, driving her roughly into the ground. The Brute lifts Umberto up more neatly, swinging him around and landing neatly on top of him, with the Genoese nobleman’s arms pinned neatly behind his back. The soldiers are approaching quickly. Have you got anything to say to them?
Joseph adjusts his collar and turns to the approaching soldiers, first shooting a warning glance at the rest of his companions, pantomining pulling a hood over his own head. When within easy talking distance, he fixes them with his best “these are Serious Matters concerning Serious People look.”
"Bonjourno, gentlemen. As you can see, these two prisoners we are transporting are not to be trifled with. We will require an escort to the Doge Valente’s palace. You all will do nicely. How quickly can you fetch a wagon?
The Doge didn’t give any instructions for how he wanted these two delivered, and Joseph is irritated enough by this point to not care much, anyhow. Hoods over their heads will have to suffice for anonymity.
“Now what did we learn today, witch ? Hmm ?” thump “That’s right. Don’t get between a Norseman and his reward money” thump “And that’s so you don’t forget it in a hurry. Guys. GUYS ! NEED A ROPE HERE !”
chuckling good-naturedly, Taye offers Hawkins a hand up
"Rise, friend. Rise. Anyone can have a bad day. I am certain none will blame you for the days excitement!
“Friend Harald? Is that any way to treat a lady?”
and sotto voce while approaching Joseph,
“my friend, despite this mornings amusement I still believe we should try to learn a bit more about what is going on. We have still only heard one side of this tale.”
“Yes, the side with which we have contracted to do a THIS URGENT TASK for the Doge of Milan,” he says, making sure the soldiers can hear.
In a lower voice: “You accepted money to do a job, friend. We all did. That’s the beginning and end of that road.”