The rider's quiver was hanging from the belt, rather than the back; he weathered the blows long enough to nock a second arrow in short order, draw it back to the ear--and let it loose at Katina.

But very next moment he had disappeared; the saddle cut loose and empty and flapping against the drake turned almost sideways like a flag. The rider's last attempt to save himself was to grab the reins as he fell, which twisted the drake's head sideways and down at an awkward angle that made the beast shriek again.