Claire and the Wyvern

Claire staggered through the snow, her arm hanging limply at her side as her fingers hung in numb stubborness to her bow. Each step caused her pierced flank to protest in agony but she kept going forwards, ignoring the blood tricking down from the cut above her temple. That she was still alive was a miracle, however there was another she was more concerned for at the moment. She staggered up the incline, over the bodies of her enemies as they lay dead in the snow covered rocks. Atop the incline the broad wings of her savior were spread out as its yellow eyes fixed on her as it breathed heavily, snorting out deep foggy breaths in the chill air.
Claire stopped as she came level with the white and black wyvern, meeting its intense gaze.
“You alright?” she asked the beast.
It snorted, turning its head aside and looking over the bodies of the tribesman that had pinned Claire and her men down until the wyvern had arrived and been reinforced by its fellows. Now this one remained behind, its colorful hide marred by deep gashes handed to it by the tribesman it had helped Claire fend off. She approached it cautiously as its eyes swung back towards her, its wings arching as it sat on its haunches.
“Easy now,” she said as she reached out to touch its nose as it stretched its head out towards her. “See? I'm still your friend.” she eyed the cuts on its face, frowning. “Poor thing, you're almost as beat up as I am.” she examined the wings. “At least they didn't get your wings though.”
The wyvern lifted its head up as Claire walked around it, her eyes examining the wounds carefully. Hopefully the healers would arrive soon and tend to the beast and herself both. That was when a wave of pain washed over her, coursing up her flank where she'd been wounded as she grunted and slumped against the wyvern.
“Ugh, sorry.” she murmured as she struggled with the pain. “Guess I'm not going to be able to be keep going much longer.”
The wyvern shifted, its clawed feet shuffling on the ground as it maintained its wingspan against the chilling wind. The movement forced Claire to fall against its body, its warmth a great relief to her as she leaned back against it and looked up at its alien features as it looked down at her.
“Tell you what,” she said through the pain. “You watch over me, I'll do the same for you.”
The wyvern snorted again, crouching over her protectively, shielding her from the cold as best it was able. Claire wasn't sure when she passed out, but at some point she had because when she was next conscious she found herself looking up at the rough features of the Dragon Lord himself.
“My Lord,” she murmured as she struggled to rise.
He held up his hand. “Stop.”
Claire froze, her breathing heavy.
“My healers are on their way,” he said. “They will see to you and Ranuck.”
“Ranuck,” Claire said looking up at the wyvern standing over her. “Nice name.”
The Dragon Lord smiled, his hard features seeming quite strange with such an expression on his face.
“Rest Sniper Commander, your battle is over for now. Once you've recovered you and your troops will be called upon again.”
She noddded. “Thank you Lord, what of Ranuck?”
The Dragon Lord looked at her and then up at the white and black wyvern thoughtfully.
“He has no partner, he is unbonded. Yet he's taken to you it seems, if he stays with you, then you are welcome to him.”
Claire's eyes widened. “You'd let me keep one of your wyverns?”
“More can be bred Sniper Commander and the bonds they form are not to be meddled with. If he stays with you, it will be unto death. Do not squander the gift.”
Claire shook her head, her mouth setting in determination.
“No my Lord, I will not.”