His mother sighed. "I have some news."

Karayan looked up.

"I... You remember Lord Tonel?"

Karyana peered suspiciously at his mother, then nodded.

"Well, he's asked me to marry him, and I've agreed."

Karayan watching felt the same burst of indignancy.

"What?" He exclaimed, standing up suddenly.

"Dear, I know how you must feel about this, but--"

"No! Father's been dead for only year and a half. How can you move on so quickly?" Frustration was evident in his voice.

"Karayan, I will not take that tone, or those words from you. Sit down."

The scene blurred away, but now Karayan remembered. He hadn't won that fight. And it was the first of many between his mother and he. His mother insisted that they needed Lord Tonel. She couldn't support them anymore, and insisted she wouldn't have her son, the son of an Amani noble, out working.

And here you see me falling into the trope of "widowed mother can't support herself". It might make sense if I put some thought into it because what I have now for Amani does not make this trope as believable, but maybe his mom has a disability so she can't work, maybe one or both of his parents has bad spending habits or a gambling problem, maybe his mom's just dumb. But when I wrote this my mind was just clicking on random tropes that would work for Tragic BackstoryTM

The next scene was just as dismal. It was a sunny day, but Karayan's heart was heavy as lead. He did not like Lord Tonel. He was a sniveling coward and he drank too much. He couldn't bear the thought of his mother marrying him. But it was too late. The wedding was yesterday, and now Tonel's things had all arrived at their estate. For Tonel had agreed to come live with them. Karayan wasn't sure which would be worse: living in a strange place with people he disliked, or having a person he disliked come live with them.

Ah yes of course, it's the new stepdad that has the drinking problem.

He'd tried to protest, but his mother had put her foot down. He was only a boy of eleven, and had little say in such matters.

Thus began the unhappiest years of Karayan's life. He shuddered to remember them. And hadn;t been able to until now. He saw it all play out. Tonel did drink too much, and he took it out on Karayan and his mother. Every blow received hardened Karayan's hate toward Tonel, and he even started hating his mother for not saying something, and stopping it.

Okay there was this thing about Karayan's mom not being able to support herself, sooo she marries this chump. perfect solution. I intended his mom to be this good person but i'm beggining to think she's kinda dumb. That's my the author's fault, of course, but it would also make the story more interesting. His mom isn't perfect by any means, but he still loves her. For the most part.

He put up with it until he was fifteen. By then, he was sour and salty as anyone could wish for. Instead of helping his mother, Tonel had just made their lives ten times worse. He drained on their finances with his heavy drinking, and made no attempt at work. Karayan had tried to go out and work, but his mother still clung to her pride and dignity as the former wife of Amani nobility. It wasn't till now that he finally got her approval.

presumably she is also Amani nobility but MAYBE SHE'S NOT

So here he was, in the midst of the city. He didn't really know who to ask, but he tried anyway. Several places said they weren't looking for new employees, and others said maybe, and that he should come back later. But none said they'd hire him. He felt discouraged. Why did life have to be so unfair? It was his fault his father died. His mother never said anything about it. No one ever did. But Karayan knew. If he hadn't asked to be held by his father when he was far beyond the age of being held, his father would still be alive right now, and they wouldn't be in all the trouble.

still it haunts him

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he walked right into someone, almost knocking both of them over.

"Oh, I'm sorry, excuse me, sir," He apologized and made to go on his way, but the man grabbed his arm. Karayan immediately felt uneasy.

"Hey, boy. I've seen you around. You're looking for work, is that right?" He asked.

Karayan nodded, "Yes sir. I'll do anything. Just so the pay is good."

The man laughed softly. "I like your attitude. It's ambitious. Come with me, we'll see if you fit the bill." The man hadn't let go of Karayan's arm, and now began leading him through the city. "What's your name, boy?"

"Karayan Batal, son of Quasai Batal." He replied.

"Tell me, Karayan, can you read and write?"

"Yes, sir," Karayan replied.

"Good, good. Can you fight?"

Karayan shrugged, "I've never had any formal teaching, but I could hold my own."

"Good, good."

all the normal prerequisites for a good job

The man continued asking him questions, which Karayan answered truthfully. The man seemed pleased with him, which pleased Karayan.

They at last arrived at a little building. They entered into a dark and smoky interior. The man rapped at a door in the back of the room. It opened and the man conferred with someone else for a minute or two.

dark and smokey