There was a certain confident teamwork and air of professionalism about them that did not please Roke at all.

Again, he caught at his master's arm.

But he was too late.
Out of nothingness, apparently, darted a small figure, directly behind the unsuspecting Hade.

It was as though he had risen from the earth itself.
With lightning swiftness, he attached himself to Rodney's throat and right arm, from behind.

Hade gave a convulsive start, and, with his free hand reached back for his pistol.
At the same time Roke seized the dwarfish stranger.
Then, two things happened, at once.
Roke wallowed backward, faint with pain and with one leg numb to the thigh, from an adroit smiting of his instep.