Over the next few days Dee saw less and less of Manchu. By the end of the month, she was lucky to catch a meal or two with him on the odd day. She knew that he had been taken in by the guards and was going through special training. He was already assigned to a late watch, which kept the two apart even more as he would be prowling the rooftops as she slept. In a way, it made her feel secure that her best friend was now watching for trouble as she slept.

With less time spent practicing with Manchu, and her class having grown smaller, Dee took to working in the kitchen more and more as she had done when she first arrived. The cooks and staff were more than happy to see her return. Dee would spend a great amount of time doing the tedious work the others didn't enjoy as much. For her, it was something of a time for relaxation. Chopping vegetables, making dough for the various dumplings and buns, preparing the dim sum dishes, and anything that could be done ahead of time, she would do.

Li Mei began to worry about all the time Dee spent doing work in the kitchen, wondering if she had forgotten about her practicing. With the girl's birthday only a month away, it was no time for her to forget about what she had been dreaming of for so many years.

Two weeks before her birthday, Jiaoshu had been called out of the house to make a personal visit to Elder Kueng. Ever since Manchu's birthday, the old man's health had been fading. Kueng had made a few appearances at a couple of other birthdays and a meeting, but otherwise remained in his home.

A sober looking Jiaoshu returned that night just before dinner. He gathered together the staff and any students who were in the house at the time to make an announcement. In his ever-calm voice, he spoke. Those who knew him best though could hear the wavering of tears and emotion that edged his voice.

{I regret to announce that we have lost a member of our Triad this night. A few hours ago, Elder Kueng passed into the next life. He has named his successor. Elder Po Sin will be the new High Elder for Gotham. Elder Shing is moving into Po Sin's place. Kueng has also named another to become the third Elder of Gotham. He may not be well known to many of you as he had been kept working in keeping the Triad businesses running smoothly. His name is Fai. Elder Fai will be welcomed as our newest Elder.}

The silence that settled over those present became unsettling. A few bursts of sobbing came from here and there. For Dee, while she cared that the old man had died, all she heard after the announcement of his death and Po Sin's ascension to High Elder of Gotham, was the slam of doors. Those doors were the doors to her future. She followed the others out of the room as everyone drifted back to what they had been doing. That night she stayed in her room, sobbing to herself and curled under her covers.
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