The Proof House by K.J. Parker

Bardas Loredan, ex fencer-at-law and former commander, puts his exceptional skills to work as a sapper, and suddenly finds himself a hero of the Empire and is thusly rewarded. Some characters return, some fade away. A lot of battles. Some interesting bits on armour. Slightly bittersweet ending. Bardas continues to suffer at the pen of Parker. Must admit I liked this one less than the previous two, and I’d have liked a somewhat more definitive dénouement. Also realised I definitely prefer Parker’s protagonists when they are both the main character and a very shifty individual. ★★★☆☆