The Prince and the Witch Prisoner | Prinxiety

1

"Unhand me you fiends!" Virgil heard someone shout from outside of his cell. He heard the door unlock and someone, presumably the one who was yelling, was thrown in by two other men.

"Here's your new temporary roommate," one of the guards told Virgil.

"Fun," Virgil responded with sarcasm dripping from his voice.

The door was shut and Virgil heard the lock click, trapping them inside the cell. It wasn't too bad, in Virgil's opinion. Yeah, his back is sore from sleeping on some hay that was laid in the corner of the concert cell, and the cuffs that completely covered his hands dug into his skin uncomfortably, but it could be worse.

The new guy wasn't having it. He stood up and went to face the door, banging on it and demanding to be released. Virgil hated sharing the cell, he knew he couldn't escape and neither could his 'temporary roommates' as the guards joked they were.

Usually they were people of high status, noble men or people from noble families, being held hostage or for ransom. They were always loud and demanding, and no matter what they were always annoying. The new guy wasn't an exception.

He wore a white shirt with black pants and knee high boots, a red sash went across his chest and gold was laced throughout the shirt. He has brown hair and eyes, tan skin, and freckles spread across his face.

"Do you know who I am!" the man yelled to deaf ears.

"Clearly, they do, that's why you're here," Virgil answered. "Now, kindly shut the hell up and stop complaining."

The man turned to him, taking him in. "And who might you be?" he asked.

"No one important. And you, well you're dressed well, hot headed, and you hold yourself like someone of high status so I'm guessing you're being held for ransom."

"I am Prince Roman of Drenland!"

"I don't care much."

"I demand that I speak to whoever is holding me captive!"

"Like I have the power to summon him here. Look princey-"

"Princey?!" Roman scoffed, offended.

"-We're both prisoners, and you will be able to leave maybe in a week or two," Virgil continued, starting to get very annoyed. "So please, sit down, shut up, and don't make my life any more miserable than it already is."

"Why are you being held prisoner?"

"The 'Lord' as he insists to be called wants something of mine," Virgil explained, using air quotes around 'Lord'. "But I refuse to cooperate with him."

"How long have you been here?"

"You lose track of time in this cell. I want to say... six moons? I'm not entirely sure."

"Moons? You mean months?"

"Yeah, smart guy."

"That's half a year!"

"Yup, but hey it's not like there's much waiting for me outside of this cell so it's not all too bad."

"What is it that this Lord wants from you?"

"Why should I tell you? How do I know I can trust you?"

"I am a prince!"

"Exactly, I've had some run ins with noble men and well, that's how I ended up here."

"Keep your secrets then Mr. Doom and Gloom."

"I will, because unlike you I know how to keep my mouth shut."

Roman huffed in annoyance and sat down. Virgil sighed in relief, happy he finally shut up.

Roman took a look around the cell. Bare concrete walls, a haystack in the corner that the other prisoner sat on, and a single torch to light the room. It was the least impressive thing Roman has ever seen.

The other prisoner has black hair and pale skin, the only thing he needed was red eyes to look like a vampire. He is skinny and his eyes seemed to be a dark color that Roman couldn't quite make out. Possibly black or a dark brown. His hair is long from being trapped for so long, and his clothes are made out of rags and couldn't be comfortable. There were bags under his eyes and Roman wondered how much he sleeps.

Then there were the shackles that covered his hands. Roman wondered why his hands were enclosed in them, and why Roman wasn't chained up himself. This man in front of him... who is he?

"Where are you from?" Roman asked.

"Nowhere in particular, I've moved around a lot before this," Virgil answered. He has to admit, it was nice to talk to people who aren't hostile towards you and now that this prince has calmed down, well it would be okay to talk for a little bit.

"Why?"

"I just felt like I couldn't settle down anywhere, guess that kinda makes me a nomad."

"How exactly did you end up here?"

"That's not a story I want to share. What about you? What is Drenland like?"

"It's a beautiful kingdom, we're quite prosperous right now. Our people have full stomachs and the king, my father, has plenty of wealth to help our kingdom. Well... I suppose we are in a bit of trouble right now. Currently war threatens our kingdom and my father is going mad with stress, trying to stop it. Invaders with advanced weaponry are trying to topple my father's throne."

"I wonder if the Lord is part of the invasions, I wouldn't put it past him."

"What's his full name? Who would insist on being called just 'Lord' anyway?" Roman chuckled.

"The name of some self centered person. And being in this cell, I've met quite a few self centered people. All shouting, "do you know who I am?""

"Wha- hey!

"Am I wrong, princey?"

"I have a name you know."

"And I don't care much to use it."

"Well, what is your name?"

"I don't care to tell."

"You don't care about much, do you," Roman sighed.

"Nope."

"Fine, I'll give you a nickname then."

"Wait-no, don't. I don't even want to know what you would call me. My name is Virgil."

"Ooh, like the roman poet Virgil?"

"What? I-I don't know. Never heard of him."

"I don't doubt it, the only work of his that I've read was the Aeneid. It was quite interesting, though you honestly don't seem to be the type to be into poetry."

"No, unfortunately I haven't had the luxury to afford the time to read. I mean, now I have the time for practically everything but-" Virgil raised his hands to show his cuffs, "I'm afraid I can't do anything."

"Oh, right."

"I do know how to read though, don't get me wrong. I enjoy it, or rather enjoyed it."

"Do you know if you'll ever be able to leave?"

"No, I don't think I'll ever be free again. It doesn't matter though, I'll be fine."

"Do you not have any family waiting for you?"

"No, not anymore. I really don't want to talk about it. It's getting late, you can have the hay bed if you want. I'm sure it's been a long day for you." Virgil stood up and walked away from the hay.

"Oh, thank you." Roman moved to take Virgil's spot on the hay bed. He laid down and tried to get comfortable on the itchy and hard bed.

Virgil was right, it had been a long day and Roman was exhausted. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep, but before he did a single thought entered his mind: how did Virgil know it was late if there were no windows in the cell?