The pages you found are a ledger from the Lionshield coster, being sent as business correspondance from Neverwinter. On closer inspection, you find 'Phandalin' scribbled alongside it, and on another page a list of food and metalwork supplies and their quantities and price breakdowns.
You also recall the blue lion symbol from the barrels in Klarg's cave, as the same (or a rough representation) can be found on the ledger.
You also see some filthy, incoherent figures scribbled in thick black ink.
Sildar looks pained, but he answers each question directly.
"Two months ago, a wizard named Iarno Albrek was dispatched here to bring order to this town as things were getting out of hand. But, I have received no word from him, so I have come here to find whatever became of him. Tread carefully, for this is not the quiet village it seems - it was taken by a bandit group or two and could be dangerous. If Iarno has been captured then they are a step above your common rabble.
Indeed, not all has gone as expected. It is important that I share some information about Gundren with you. I was guarding him on the road here, but we were totally unprepared for the ambush, unprecedented for a tribe of their size. It seems that a man named the Black Spider is responsible, and he had Gundren and his supplies shipped to Cragmaw Castle. An important map detailing the location to Wave Echo Cave, and in it the Forge of Spells, was also taken.
You rescued me from the goblins and I owe you a reward. What is more, I have greater rewards for you if you can help in this urgent matter, which I will discuss with you after I have conducted my initial investigation here.
For now, we should secure rooms and equipment".
Sildar leads you up the main road in with the wagon, and you reach a central hub with a small temple, a shrine made of stones. You take a right turn and find the Stonehill Inn.
Sildar suggests you leave the wagon outside and buy a room for the night before you head to Bildrath's Mercantile up the north road to deliver the wagon. He heads in to buy a room, without money.