Brit nodded her agreement. A class or two would be a start, at least. Kaladin would never really be a lordling, but he could certainly be well enough off to get away with courting Hazel.

The metaphorical lightbulb went off above Kaladin's head, and he considered that. It wouldn't be too hard to get on a ship to go to the souther land to go find a creature or two, and then he just had to get it back with him. Sure, it would be dangerous, but the job was dangerous. Plus it would be very helpful for his hopes with Hazel.

His mind made up, he went to go talk to Seamus and see what his little brother thought.

Seamus could tell there was something on his brother's mind the second he saw Kaladin leaving the main building.

"What's up?" he asked warily when his brother got closer.

"Had a thought. You've heard about people going to round up wild creatures from the south, remember?" Kaladin looked at Seamus for a few moments. "Apparently bringing something rare or new back warrants a fat reward and potentially being raised a class or two."

Seamus processed that and gave his brother a look that clearly stated what he thought about Kaladin's sanity.

"You want to go on a finding trip--a potentially dangerous and deadly trip--just to be able to date Hazel?" he asked. It seemed just the least bit extreme.

"I never actually said that," Kaladin hedged. Because really he hadn't actually.

And it was just an idea.

"You implied it," Seamus retorted. "You implied it very loudly."

"Well you have any better ideas?" Kaladin asked. "Because she's not going to stoop down to my level, and there really isn't any other way to get up to hers."

"It's dangerous, Kal," Seamus replied. "What if something happens to you? Even better, what if you do this and it doesn't work? Then what?"

"I've been doing this for longer than you have, Seamus," Kaladin said. "I know how to be careful and how to hunt. And if it doesn't work then at least I'll have something interesting to bring back to the ranch for her." He shrugged. If this didn't work then he'd find another way.

Seamus sighed.

"At least look after yourself," he said. He knew when he couldn't stop Kaladin.

"I will, don't worry. I plan on coming back in one piece." Kaladin smiled fainty. Now the only question was if he should leave now so he could be back by the time things started birthing/hatching from eggs or if he should wait until later.

Seamus could see the gears turning in his brother's head.

"If you're going to go, do it now," he said. "Otherwise you'll be stuck here until after breeding season and you'll have talked yourself out of it."

Kaladin hesitated before he nodded. He could probably be back before all the babies arrived, so he could help with that. And he only needed to pack a few things, so that wouldn't take long. Hypothetically he could leave tomorrow.

Seamus put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Good luck," he said. Hopefully, this would get Kaladin what he wanted.

Kaladin smiled a little. "Thanks," he said quietly. "I'll be back soon. I promise." Because the brothers didn't make promises lightly, especially not to each other.

Seamus nodded and waved a hand.

"Go on, then," he said. He gave a bit of a grin. "You need to get going if you want to impress your lady."

Kaladin snorted but headed back to the house to pack up what he'd need. And then he'd see about getting to the docks tomorrow so he could get to the southern land and catch something.

And hopefully not get killed. Or maimed. Or mauled. Or injured too badly, really.

Seamus watched his brother go, and then got back to work. He'd think of something to tell Brit and Hazel about why his brother went on a finding trip.

The next day Kaladin managed to hitch a ride on the back of a wagon going to the docks, and then he got on a ship to go south. The trip down there wouldn't take very long, and then he just had to find a thing or two to bring back. Really. No problem.

Brit blinked when she didn't see Kaladin around the next day, looking over at Seamus to see what was going on.

Hazel also noticed Kaladin wasn't around.

"Seamus," she asked, "where's Kaladin?" Because Seamus, out of everyone, would know best.

Seamus hesitated a bit.

"On a finding trip," he replied finally. "He wanted to see if he could bring back something new for the ranch." Okay, not entirely, completely honest: Kaladin also wanted to find something for Hazel. But it was still mostly the truth.

Brit blinked and looked over at Hazel.

Do you think he heard us yesterday? she wrote before passing the note over. Because she couldn't think of any other reason Kaladin would suddenly decide to go on a finding trip right now.

"I don't know," Hazel murmured in reply. "Maybe." It certainly seemed that way. She nibbled worriedly on the inside of her lip.

Brit frowned. Hazel was clearly concerned, but there was nothing to be done now. They couldn't just drag him back, after all.

I'm sure he'll be fine. He's been doing this job for a while, so he knows how to handle the animals. And I'm very sure he'll be careful because he wants to come back to you.

"Still..." Hazel said softly. "I've heard finding trips are dangerous." She'd heard of men coming back maimed or crippled or even not at all, and it frightened her that Kaladin could potentially be one of them.

I'm sure he'll be fine. He's a smart guy. He knows what he's doing. And if he didn't, Brit would beat it into him when he got back. Especially for making Hazel worry.