The Silverwood Legacy

Chapter Twenty-Three: Voices at Dawn

The early morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting gentle shadows on Rowan's bedroom walls. She awoke before the sun, a habit she had developed during the weeks of uncertainty. The quiet of dawn was a rare moment of peace, and she cherished it as she reached for the journal her father had given her.

The journal was bound in worn leather, its pages filled with blank spaces awaiting her words. Rowan opened it to the first page, the soft rustling of paper the only sound in her room. She picked up her pen, the cool metal a comforting weight in her hand, and began to write.

*August 15th,* she wrote. *Yesterday was my seventeenth birthday, and everything changed. I shifted for the first time into a panther, and the experience was both exhilarating and overwhelming. The moment I felt the shift begin, it was like an electric charge coursing through my body, every muscle and bone rearranging in a way that was both alien and familiar.*

Rowan's eyes wandered as she continued. *Becoming a panther felt incredible. My senses were heightened beyond anything I had ever imagined. The world became a tapestry of scents, sounds, and colors more vivid than I had ever known. The ground beneath my paws felt solid and reassuring, and I could feel every vibration through the earth. The sheer power and grace of the panther were intoxicating. I could move silently, with a fluidity that made me feel like I was gliding through the world.*

Her pen paused, reflecting on the emotional impact. *It was a strange mix of freedom and control. The panther inside me was wild and fierce, but there was also a deep, primal connection to my own nature. I felt both invincible and vulnerable, a powerful being yet still very much a part of myself. It was a reminder of how connected I am to this new identity, and how much I still have to learn.*

Rowan's thoughts grew heavy as she continued to write about her twin brother. *I can't stop thinking about Ethan. He should have been here to experience this with me. We were always so close, sharing everything from the smallest moments to the biggest dreams. Losing him and Mom has been a devastating blow, and I often find myself longing for their presence.*

She took a deep breath, trying to put her emotions into words. *Ethan was more than just a brother; he was my anchor. He understood me in ways no one else could, and his absence feels like a part of me is missing. I still remember his laughter, his advice, and the way he always seemed to know what I needed before I did. The night of the attack, everything changed in an instant. I never got to say goodbye, and that pain is something I struggle to reconcile.*

Rowan's writing grew more urgent as she reflected on the present situation. *Despite the loss, I have to be strong. If Ethan were here, he would want me to fight for what I believe in, to stand up for myself and for our family. His memory gives me strength, and I can't let his death be in vain.*

As she wrote, the peaceful quiet was abruptly shattered. Rowan heard raised voices—her father's voice, strained and desperate, mingling with the authoritative tones of several men. The council men were here, and from the sound of it, they were not in a forgiving mood.

Her heartbeat quickened. She set down her pen and stood up, her mind racing. The council men were demanding to be heard and validated, their voices echoing with an unsettling edge. The clamor grew louder, the harsh tones accompanied by the clinking of armor and the murmur of guards.

She moved to the window and peered through the gap in the curtains. Outside, she could see her father standing with the council men, their expressions grim. The guards, armed and alert, flanked the council men, their presence a stark reminder of the danger.

Panic surged through Rowan, but she fought to keep her composure. The council men's words were sharp, insistent. They were not here just to negotiate; they were ready to take action, and Rowan had a sinking feeling that she was the one they intended to take.