I am the Reaper and death is my shadow

Most of the meeting was boring, most of his attention was on Aslatiel as the words were spoken over his head. The boy tried to keep himself from distracting his sibling too much, but it was difficult not to mess with her tail. Knowing they would both get in trouble if she reacted too much he stopped right before his father turned his attention back to them.

Indy looked up at his father as he announced his brother’s sudden advancement in the hierarchy. Immediately his features fell. Ears slicked back against his head which lowered further beneath his shoulders. Instead of being happy and excited for his brothers he suddenly felt inadequate and a failure. Why hadn’t he been chosen to work towards future leadership? Was it because he wasn’t as good a hunter, fighter, or as wise as his brothers? Had he failed to spend enough time with his father? What did he do to be knocked from consideration?

Indigo’s emotions easily got away from him and as he felt his eyes sting with tears he quickly looked away from the crowd and tried to become as small as Aslatiel. Why did this announcement hurt so much?