Sven and Irene were finally able to slip off of their horses once the others had ensured that the giant monster—which was so much bigger from up close—was grounded once and for all. Even though it was still alive, it was hard for ogres to stand up quickly.
"Rope!" Arthur shouted to Gunnar who was on the other side of the writhing monster.
Irene could hardly pay attention to what her father and Gunnar were up to because, as the knights tied the monster to ensure it wouldn't be able to get up again, apprentices were ordered to use axes to hack at its neck and head.
Despite the awful monster's weak screams and pathetic thrashing, they relentlessly went on with their endeavor until one of them hit an artery and its black blood poured out onto the forest floor.
The girl wasn't the only one to feel a bit woozy at the sight of something so horrible. It wasn't only awful in sight but smell.
It struck not only her that there was a familiar scent rising in the air.
