Eternity- Boredom
Warnings; implied noncon in context clues
Prince Theodore walked with Cecil as they secured Sneherrs fortress. It was his first mission on the council so he was assigned to watch the head of the guard. He wanted to be more helpful, but his uncle had forbidden him from doing anything beyond his practiced magic. He had said it was to protect Theodore from over exerting himself, but the Prince knew better. His uncle didn’t want anyone surpassing him in power as the King of the Sand Serpintine, especially not the crowned Prince. It would divide the loyalty of the guard, and the people.
Theodore didn’t mind too much, he could learn a lot more on his own than under the mages guidance. He preferred a more intuitive magic style anyways. The strict rules of the traditional practice made him feel trapped. After almost every lesson with one of the mages he had to meditate to feel like himself again. However, he couldn’t use his magic style here, because he couldn’t let his uncle know about it. So he was stuck doing basic tasks like forcing a door open, or pinning a few of Sneherrs guards against the wall until his guard could restrain them.
The tasks were incredibly boring, and he desperately wanted to figure out what else was in the fortress. He kept hearing quiet whispers and shuffling behind doors that they didn’t open, and every time he asked about it he was told that it wasn’t the guard’s place to handle the servants. That was what the rest of the group was for.
Theodore had a million questions for the citizens in Sneherrs palace that he wasn’t allowed to ask. He wanted to figure out how Sneherr controlled his guards to the point where they would refuse to answer any questions, even after Theodore had mentioned the council's decree. He wanted to figure out why the servants were hiding, and why Sneherr clearly had servant corridors and quarters instead of keeping them in the hall like the Sand Serptine did. He wanted to know why there were so many access points to the dungeon. And why those access points always included a bathing room.
For now, he couldn't get those answers, not until they finished clearing all of the guards out and getting the citizens into the healers tents. He sighed as he walked up to what looked like a large bedroom.
“This must be where Sneherr is. I don't think the other team has found him yet.” Theodore jumped when Cecil spoke. He tried to blink away the fuzziness from overthinking.
“So what should I be prepared for?” Theodore had yet to encounter someone the guards couldn't take, and he was itching for a confrontation to help alleviate some stress.
“He should surrender, considering we have most of his guards captured. But if not be prepared, in case he runs.”
Theodore nodded, “I'll open this door on three.”
“One”
Cecil stood back, and all the guards tensed
“Two”
Theodore geared up his magic, feeling it warm his hands. He widened his stance and grinned.
“Three!”