Need help adding casting times

Hello. I am trying to add in casting times to my mud, as in having to charge a spell for a few rounds before actually executing it. I tried using timers, but I believe I am using them wrong somehow. I would appreciate of someone could help me by providing me psuedo-code. Thank you.

sset spell beats *however high you want the timer*

i gues that's what your asking. i'm not sure.