The Silverwood Legacy

Chapter Six: Seeking the Truth

Determined to find some answers, Rowan decided to visit the town's library. The building was quaint, a modest structure with ivy-clad walls and a welcoming façade. As she pushed open the heavy wooden doors, a soft chime announced her arrival.

Inside, the library was quiet and filled with the comforting scent of old books and polished wood. Rowan walked past the rows of shelves, her eyes scanning for anything that might shed light on the mysteries surrounding her family. She felt a mixture of hope and apprehension, knowing that answers could be close or still elusive.

The librarian, a middle-aged woman with a keen, observant gaze, was seated behind the main desk. She looked up as Rowan entered and offered a polite but guarded smile. Rowan gave her a nod and made her way to the history section, where she began pulling books from the shelves and skimming through them.

As Rowan immersed herself in the texts, she couldn't shake the feeling that the librarian's gaze was following her. Every time she looked up, she caught the librarian watching her closely. The woman's demeanor was not overtly suspicious, but there was an unmistakable intensity in her eyes.

After a while, the librarian discreetly picked up the phone behind the desk. She dialed a number and spoke softly into the receiver, her eyes still occasionally flicking toward Rowan.

"Hello, Mr. Wright? This is Ms. Porter from the library," the librarian said in a hushed tone. "I just wanted to let you know that your daughter is here. She's been browsing through the history section and seems quite intent on finding something. I thought you might want to be aware."

The voice on the other end was a mix of surprise and concern. "Thank you for letting me know, Ms. Porter. I appreciate it."

As the conversation ended, Ms. Porter returned to her duties, occasionally glancing toward Rowan with a look of curiosity and concern.

Rowan continued her search, her frustration growing as she flipped through various volumes on local history, folklore, and legends. She was hoping to find some clue or reference that might explain the strange events and secrecy surrounding her family. However, most of the books seemed to focus on mundane historical facts or regional anecdotes.

Just as Rowan was about to give up, her eyes fell on an old, leather-bound book tucked away on a high shelf. Its cover was worn, and the title was barely legible. She carefully took it down and began leafing through its pages. The book appeared to be a collection of local legends and folklore, with sections dedicated to various mythical creatures and mysterious events.

After several minutes of searching, Rowan stumbled upon a section dedicated to family histories. Her breath caught in her throat as she turned the pages, discovering an ancient family tree. The tree was intricately illustrated, with various names and connections mapped out in a complex network. Next to some of the names were strange symbols and drawings of different animals.

The symbols and animals were unfamiliar, but their presence seemed to hint at something significant. Rowan's heart raced as she tried to decipher their meaning. Among the animals were images of wolves, owls, and other creatures associated with folklore. The symbols beside them were enigmatic and cryptic, adding to the sense of mystery.

Just as she was absorbed in her discovery, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a text message from her father.

**Message:** "Rowan, I know you're at the library. I need you to come home right now. We need to talk."

Rowan's pulse quickened. It was clear that her father had somehow been alerted to her investigation, and he was summoning her home. She glanced back at the book, her mind racing with questions about the symbols and their connection to her family.

With a mixture of frustration and resolve, she closed the book carefully, returned it to its place on the shelf, and made her way out of the library. Scout, who had been waiting patiently outside, trotted up beside her as she headed to the car.

The drive back to the cottage felt interminable. Rowan's mind was filled with the strange symbols and the sense that she was on the brink of uncovering something important. She pulled into the driveway, her father's serious expression waiting for her on the porch.

Taking a deep breath, Rowan approached, her determination firm. She was ready to confront her father again and to press for the answers she so desperately needed. The discovery of the family tree had only intensified her resolve, and she was prepared to face whatever truths lay ahead.