At least temporarily, Xavier had the advantage of maneuverability as the half-corpse creature had nose ended into the small corral to devour the horse.  It left him little room to turn around.  As the creature became more material the knight felt the heat and could smell the very brambles that contained him beginning to smolder, he knew he couldn't stand close for long.  He gripped his sword and swung again, this time a side swipe at the thick tendons of the right rear leg.  He almost wished he had an axe as its leg was as thick as a tree, but the sword cut deep into the rotten flesh and skeletal frame.  He injured the creature, that he knew but it was far from fatal.  He could feel the hilt of his sword getting hot, almost too hot to hold, he would need to draw it out soon or leave it in the creature.  He heaved back, nearly losing his balance as it broke free.