TS: Dry Season Begins. BBC EARTH

Carloa got to work, pounding away at the metal; intent on creating something to get Altostratus and himself out, he held the parchment up with a satisfied smile. Tucking it under his arm, he returned to Altostratus, who looked on excitedly.
"You aren't helping, Altostratus! Sit still!" Carloa groaned. Altostratus payed no mind, bowling him over in her excitement. "Gah! Stop! Altostratus! Stay still!" He applied the tail, connecting it to a saddle with a strand of rope. "That should do it! Alright, Altostratus!" He was cut off as she went airborne, letting out a screech of delight as they rose above the tree line.

Carloa screamed, hugging his dragons neck tightly as she sped up. "Slow down! Slow down girl!" He panted, patting his dragons neck as she unfurled her wings, increasing her drag, as they flew backwards, before pumping her wings to dart upwards. The simple shift caused the knots to loosen; which led to a series of events. First; Carloa became un-attached. "Oh gods! I knew I should have secured the rope 4 times! Uh–Altostratus?! A little help here?" Said dragon plummeted, spinning. "U–uh–you gotta angle yourself here...No! No! Wrong way!" He ducked as she spun around, her tail mere inches from his nose. Before hitting the water, he got himself back on, pulling up hard, as Altostratus's paws barely skimmed the water. Carloa whooped, the pair doing a few victorious loop-da-loops in the fading daylight. It was the first time Carloa had ever felt free. He shifted her tail position and Altostratus turned her head to beam at him; a slight chortle escaping her chest. You weren't gonna fall. She turned back; pumping her wings to rise; gliding over the cliffs. Feels great to be in the air once more. She sighed; enjoying the feeling of the air underneath her wings; as Carloa too; seemed to enjoy it. "Still surprised that you didn't kill me when you had the chance." Altostratus mused. Carloa looked down; offering a reassuring pat on the neck. "One day we'll be out there Altostratus. Whether it be with or without the village."

. . .

"You're amazing girl! I'll say that!" Carloa exclaimed, tossing a fish to the Storm Fury, who purred in response. The two had landed on the most densely wooded side of the island, in hopes of keeping themselves secret. Altostratus grumbled in response, flopping her head down on his lap.

"I can't let them know...Yet."