Carla Solden just confirmed it, Tim Paulson and Alan Schott left for good.

They had been gone for a few days. It was a shock at first when their disappearance was noted, for they had been called as leaders to help start the Chapter in Lyndonpole. And then they did not show up at the next session in the Galleston Farmhouse. Cray Fenton and I tried to reach out to them in every known way, and so did Hyla.

However, over the course of a few days of silence, it became apparent that they either lost interest or had some urgent matter arise. It was last night when Carla Solden told Cray, Hyla, and I that she had received a ticker message from Alan, admitting that he and Tim felt progressively uncomfortable with the apparent "traditionalist" atmosphere embraced by North Kempton to which the "Circle" appeared to be married.

Fenton sighed at the news, and looked at me with an air of pity and dread. I was heading the Chapter at Kempton, not North Kempton but the smaller town of Kempton that was officially the Seat of Northrange County. It was rewarding work, with many locals excited to join in on the experiment, but it was a lot, I will admit. "I will send Carla and Hyla to assist you if you are willing to fill the loss at Lyndonpole," he said. "The work there will be marginal, and will not affect your success at Kempton. In fact, perhaps you can go on just one trip, for about a week. Then Hyla and Carla will carry on afterward."

I will admit that I actually agreed to this. I feel a bit adventurous despite the workload.