The Ravens sent me to the Little Ones. I was fine until my foot touched the ground of their realm. I collapsed at once. The Little Ones put me in a makeshift coffin and decorated my body with beautiful flowers. Only then did they allow me to speak.
I complimented them on their prudence and called out the lovely blooms for what they were. I also pointed out how they were able to overpower me without lifting a finger and why I was accepting my captivity instead of struggling against it.
Once they verified the Unmaker in their midst was Weaver Storyteller, they released me from the binds and showed me why they had sent for me.
A Little One was ill and suffering greatly. Half his body was smothering under a squirming tumor. Could I remove the growth? If not, could I end his suffering?
Yes, I could remove it. It took several hours, and the removed diseased flesh was placed in the coffin I had vacated. The source of the tumor was a giant caterpillar. The species was familiar, with false eyes at both ends. I removed it and sealed it in the coffin.
The stricken fellow immediately regained his color and cheer. The right side of his body was emaciated and shriveled, but the others assured me that without the parasite he would make a full recovery.
I offered to take the parasite and diseased flesh away to destroy it, but the Little Ones refused. Now that they saw the source of the suffering, they knew how it came to the fellow. They constructed an open mesh cage over the coffin. They were going to grow the larva to maturity and make a pet from what it metamorphoses into.
They thanked me, fed me sweet cakes and delicate tea for payment and hospitality, and said I was the nicest captive ever. I replied I knew when to be insufferable and when I was completely helpless. This wasn’t the time for bravado. Not with them.
They laughed sweetly as they allowed me to leave their realm.