"Father is dead?" Vale asked flatly. He did not understand what he was hearing. He was trying his best not to comprehend the information, but his brain had already arrived at the truth, so he clung desperately to what Captain Orin would say next.
'...Father died? That's impossible. Yes, it is. That man is a wall... an iron mountain... nothing can shake him...'
Captain Orin seemed particularly happy to be the one to deliver the news. "The former Clan Leader, Thorold Athrimir, is dead. The new Clan Leader, the heir, is now the one holding the position—Clan Leader Thrain Athrimir."
Vale continued staring. He felt a buzz in his mind, a low rushing sound. Everything was crashing down around him, and he just stood there, face blank. "Impossible."
"It is what happened. He is dead," Captain Orin said, and Vale could almost hear the good for him in his tone.
