Entering the City of Starlight
The traveler made slow progress as he traversed the Feywild. He suspected that the staff would be well protected, as it was a powerful artifact from the once greatest city of the eladrin. As he traveled, he went over what he knew of Astrazalian. The traveler remembered that the city of Astrazalian was unique for its location. In spring and summer, the city exists in the natural world, but with the coming of autumn it fades back to the Feywild. Also, he remembered that the city was constantly under siege when it existed in the Feywild. The evil fomorian kingdoms were within striking distance of the city, and they took advantage of that. As it was almost winter, he knew he would also have to avoid the fomorian siege parties.
Eventually he arrived at Astrazalian and found it in the state of siege which he had predicted it would be. No less than three fomorian raiding parties had laid siege to the city, and declared that this time, it would fall. Fortunately for the eladrin in the city, the fomorians spent as much time fighting each other as they did sending attacks against Astrazalian's walls.
The traveler found that it was easy to pass the fomorians by without giving away his presence. The fomorians, accustomed to the fact that nobody approached Astrazalian during fall or winter, had neglected to set a watch outwards. At the gates of the city, he abandoned his custom of avoiding contact with other people and declared himself to the guards there. He told them that he was an eladrin wizard and that he was anxious to enter the city. The guards let him enter and then brought him before the ruler of Astrazalian, the Lady Shandria.
"Welcome to our city," said Lady Shandria. "But what reason could any eladrin have in coming here when we are under siege?"
The traveler replied, "In all of my wanderings, I have long desired to set foot in Astrazalian. I have heard of her wonders, and have come to see them for myself. However, I would be pleased if I could help you in your defense of the city." He said this hoping that he might learn the location of the Staff of the Heart.
"If you can give us any aid, it would be much welcomed. By the way, what is your name?" asked Lady Shandria curiously.
The traveler was silent for a while. Eventually he said, "It has been a long time since I went by any name that I have forgotten what my name was."
Lady Shandria looked surprised and replied, "In that case, I guess it's not necessary. Please feel free to wander the city and explore her wonders for yourself."
The traveler bowed and made his exit. He chuckled to himself as he mentally went over the conversation he had just had with Lady Shandria, for she had given him the freedom of Astrazalian which was what he had hoped for. Now, all he had to do was find the Staff of the Heart and smuggle it out of the city.