Susan Wilkins

Fyrlem Susan Wilkins

"Who is this, Petr?" one of the giant men asked as several men wheeled my cage into place in between him and one of the bearded women."The newest attraction... Kiernan." Petr informed as I backed away and buried my face in my knees."Seems young..." the giant commented as Petr entered my cage; I shrank away as he approached, to no avail; he backed me into a corner."Everyone seems young to you, August." the bearded lady commented with a chuckle as Petr grabbed me - making me cry out in fear. "Although...in this case...""He's ten." Petr replied as I cried, and he pulled out the salve."What's that?" August asked as Petr began vigorously rubbing the salve into my burned skin - causing me to cry even harder."Kiernan was burned in a stable fire recently. The man who sold him to me said this was to heal the burns...but I'm almost out." Petr explained before I slipped out of his grasp - kicking the jar out of his hands as I did so. "Foolish boy!" he shouted as I curled in on myself in the far corner."Petr." another man addressed sternly when Petr began to charge at me."Father." Petr greeted as he turned away from me."Is this the new curiosity?" the man asked as he neared the cage."Aye. He's a cripple...and recently deformed.""Bring him closer. I can't see him from here." the man ordered. I sobbed and tried to get away...but Petr was too strong...too swift; he easily grabbed me and dragged me out of the cage. "Stand up straight, boy."Reluctantly, I obeyed the order...allowing him to examine my twisted leg and scars."Let me see you walk." he ordered. I obeyed - limping once around the tent."Well?" Petr asked."We'll have him walk up to the platform...then attach him to the wheel." the man decided. "As for his clothing..." he added...before he pulled out a breech cloth. "Put straw in his cage, then start advertising.""What will I put on his sign?" Petr asked."What else?" his father replied cruelly. "Fyrlem."