Fantasy about a 10 year old boy in a clan without parents

[Terry]

Fantasy book starts about 10 year old boy in clan. His mother and father had left on a clan mission and never returned. So he lives with his elder Uncle and uncle's son who hate and despise him.

Can't remember exactly about the type of magic but it seemed to have geometric designs in it – this may be wrong.

I also recall the boy having to enter into the yearly clan tournaments, fighting against other clan members. One of the clan's elder daughters had a forbidden item on them that planned on using it against the young boy.

Also recall the judge of the tournament being bribed. He unfairly judged the boy.

Seems like I read this 6-8 years ago.

[Capn]

What's the setting? Are we talking Neolithic/Stone Age clans?

Or is "clan" an indigenous category (First Nations, Native American)?

Set on Earth? Modern times?

[Terry]

Not modern, they had carts drawn by beasts. They walked everywhere. They had some advanced magic in some items, could have been ancient relics, just cant remember. They fought with standard style weapons and some had the ability to cast magic.

Not stone age or Native American. Just human sort of a category to themselves.

Sorry just cant remember much, just wish it wasn't driving me crazy. lol. Thanks for responding.