Gwendal Von Voltaire strode purposefully down the stone hallway. A frown was etched deeply into his face. His steps were quick and determined but not fast enough to be considered a jog.

"..Heika…" A wailing echo bounced down the corridor from the direction he was heading. The dark haired mazoku stopped and swore under his breath.

"Gwendal!?" Another more feminine voice called from some distance behind him.

The general hesitated for a moment. So far he had not been spotted. In desperation he glanced around seeking an escape. Finally his eyes rested on the window. He would only have to drop one floor to reach the ground.

"Gwendal!?"

"Heeeiiika!"

The voices were drawing closer. The dark head swung first one way then the other weighing his choices and the possible out comes. He was faced with the prospects of either being wailed deaf and wept on by Gunter, tortured for hours by Annisina, or quite possibly a combination of both.

Gwendal chose the window. Quickly, he made sure there was no one outside to witness his undignified escape, then swung both legs over the windowsill and dropped to the ground.

There was a small gasp. Looking up from his crouch, he saw a wide-eyed Greta.

"Gwendal!"

"Heeiika!
The voices echoed near by. Acting on instinct, the man darted forward, scooped up his surprised niece and dodge behind a well trimmed hedge.

"Gwendal!" "Heika!" The voices drifted down from window.

"Oh Gunter! Have you seen Gwendal? I have something I need him to help me test."

"Oh Heeiika! Where have you gone?! Why have you left your most devoted subject?! Sob If only I could spend everyday basking in your presence!"

"Hmmm…You've lost the king? I believe I have just the invention to help! Come with me."

There was a startled yelp and a scuffling sound, as if someone were being drug away, then silence. Gwendal sighed in relief. Suddenly remembering he wasn't alone the general looked down at his neice. She had one hand pressed tightly against her mouth to repress a fit of giggles.

The stern mazoku's frown softened and his lips twitched in response.

Greta moved her hand and beamed up at him. "Uncle Gwendal, I didn't know you played hide-and-seek!"