“I don’t know about ladies. I know about damn witches, Hells take 'em. Errr, no offense meant.”
Hawkins rises to his feet, a rueful expression on his face. “That’s the last time I participate in any unplanned entertainment, at any rate. I’ll leave it to the tumbler another time.”
Or the Doge of Genoa, even.
Yes. It’s a doge eat doge world we’re living in.
Tomato, potato! 
That’s a night in the Box.
The lead soldier roughly ties up Umberto, and signals to his compatriots to carry him. He then lashes Maria’s hands behind her back, and lifts her to her feet. He nods at Joseph, brow furrowed, and says, “We’ll take it from here. See the Doge before you leave town.”
Harald flashes quizzical looks at his companions, asking the silent question “Are we getting fucked right now, and do we let them do this ?”
deep, deep sigh…
“Taye is once again proven correct. Patted on the head like a faithful dog! Not even a receipt given! Will the Doge ask us to come to the rear door to receive our pittance?”
Joseph returns Harald’s glance, nods once, and speaks to the soldiers again.
“Ah, Lieutenant (which probably isn’t his rank, but a little flattery and all that), I am afraid that, having endured more than a small amount of trouble to retrieve these two,” he says, glancing pointedly to the smoldering remains of the fire, “we are duty bound to see this through to the end. That means we will regrettably have to see these prisoners into the hands of either Signore Alessio or Capitano Achilles, va bene?”
“Of course, I am certain that both of those two gentlemen would be grateful to meet the soldiers who so bravely assisted in the capture of these criminals, and we would be glad for the escort to the palazzo.”
The Captain squints at you, as if sizing you up, and responds “Well enough. You come with us. No tricks, now, and stay well away from the prisoners. There will be no more escape attempts on my watch.”
You proceed quickly into the city, to the central piazza, and into the Doge’s palazzo. The Captain brings you in through a small side door, hands the prisoners off to a deputy, and has a quick whispered conversation with a youth in a simple monk’s robe who looks to have Elvish blood. The youth runs off into the house, and the Captain turns to face you.
“The Doge is busy at the moment, but his son and Signore Alessio will be down shortly to interview you. You have my thanks for apprehending these dangerous criminals. Feel free to refresh yourselves in the meantime.” He gestures toward a small table set with dark brown bread, a soft cheese, and a jug of wine. The Captain then turns to leave.
“Well don’t mind if I do. Hmm, that cheese is very decent, good strong personality. Then again free grub is always tastier, I find.”
Joseph leans against the wall, folds his arms over his chest, half-closes his eyes, and waits for the meeting.
Taye eyes the bread and cheese suspiciously, ignoring the wine completely. With a shrug he takes some of the food. Then puts his back to a wall where he can watch the doors.
Foreigners never do bread or cheese quite right, but we’re a long way from a good cob loaf and a mature Cheddar so Zachary will have to make do with what there is.
After a few minutes, Signore Alessio and Marco Valente walk in through the same door the young monk left through. Marco gets straight to the point: “My Captain has just told me a strange story. He says that the Marionis very nearly escaped as they were handed over to the guard. What happened?”
Taye starts whistling nonchalantly, patting at his robes as though looking for something. Pretending he didn’t hear and trying to be inconspicuous.
Joseph opens his eyes and smiles winningly at Marco.
“Your Captain is quite right - the Marionis very **nearly **escaped. They are dangerous and skilled but, luckily, we are slightly more dangerous and slightly more skilled.”
Giacomo gathers that the Enlishman would be happier with Warm beer and boiled meat, but he himself enjoys A good glsass of Italian wine, and a decent Parm.
Marco frowns. “How did you capture them in the first place? Did they make it to Milan, or make contact with any Milanese agents?”