It's a risk that's made a little less risky by the fact that the dragon is focused on Vance at the moment.

There's not really a way to brace for the swipe, nor a way to get away from it. Vance shouts as the talons connect, throwing him aside and into a wall. At least the chair hit the wall first, shattering under the impact but leaving Vance winded as he smacked the wall and then fell to the floor with a groan.