As his fate would have it, Astor was to get lucky in a different way. The attacker announced his presence, at first it appeared as if a supernaturally tall man, armed with a bow and string, had been the one to fire at him. However, as the man came to closer Astor saw that his torso was appended to the body of a brown chestnut horse. Perhaps the sound of hooves striking the floor should've given away that he was dealing with a  centaur, but Astor had been too tired to notice. On the other hand, the centaur was alert and had already prepared his next arrow, holding it in place by keeping the bow taut and ready to fire.