As suddenly as it started, it was over.<br/><br/>Piero sat, pale and shaking and struggling with nausea, still gripping the bloody Blind Blade in his hand.  Apprenticeship hadn't prepared him for this.  It had been mostly theory, learning alchemy and the fundamental concepts of magic, and some weapons training.  But this had been his first fight.  He'd expected... hell, he didn't know what he'd expected.<br/><br/>It was a relief when the red-haired apprentice to Sir Tengille pulled him to his feet and pointed him at the axe-wielding new arrival.  Action - in this case, doing what he'd trained to do - helped ease the feeling of pounding terror and confusion.  Her wound proved to be ugly and bloody, but shallow.  "Hold still," he said, threading a needle.  "This'll hurt, but if I don't stitch it up it'll scar badly."<br/><br/>Cleaning blood away once more, he set to work.  "Tell me," he said, talking as a distraction from the needlework, "are you part of our unit?  Oh, and I forget my manners.  I'm Piero Gallo, apprentice to Calculator Mage Avelia Udinesi and the squad medic."  With that, he tied off the stitches and cut the thread.  "Oh, and we're done."<br/><br/>Nearby, the redhead was talking of glory and the might of Ivalice.  Stirring, patriotic words that made him nod in agreement.  They<i>had</i>done well, hadn't they?  Still... "i'm sure we will, Squire Lydalia.  Now get over here and let me see that arm.  You won't find much glory if that cut festers."