The Trouble with Peace (The Age of Madness, #2)

by Joe Abercrombie

“The Circle?” Red Hat rested a hand on the pommel of his sword, and the Named Men filled the hall to the rafters with a nervy murmur. “It’s a bit like a square, but with no corners,” said Rikke.

Years back, when they first made him a sergeant, he’d imagined the officers must have all the answers. When he was given his commission, he’d imagined the generals must have all the answers. When King Orso made him a general, he’d imagined the Closed Council must have all the answers. Now, as a lord marshal, he finally knew it for an absolute fact. No one had the answers. Worse. There weren’t any.

It appeared the rebels were using some new kind of cannon-stone which not only smashed buildings to pieces but set those pieces on fire. There’s progress for you.