Chapter eighteen

He wasn’t alone.

Well, he wouldn’t be, would he, the cramph.

Nets are devilish things to get out of quickly, as I knew only too well. Useless to try to draw my knife and cut through. I took a strand in each fist and in the instant I savagely burst them apart a cracking great clout laid alongside my head and over I went. Instead of trying to rise, as these bully boys expected, I went on with the roll. Two of the net’s strands parted and I started on the next square. A hard-toed boot crashed into my ribs and I let out a gasp. By Krun! These plug-uglies meant business!

More net strands parted and I fixed a most malicious eye on my attackers. A big Rapa jumped in to kick me again and I rolled away. On the other side another Rapa brought a damned great cudgel down. Going on ……