Sciolto was big.
Not Pavona-big, but big enough. Six trade roads met at Sciolto, which meant six trade roads' worth of wagons, hand-trucks, and stressed-looking foremen all trying to occupy the same square mile at the same time.
The faculty lodged the students in a rambling old inn on the edge of the merchant quarter, and Pelegatta gathered them in the courtyard after breakfast.
"Today's exercise." The students went still. "We have arranged for a number of local merchants to run mock negotiations with you. Each pair has been assigned a specific deal, a specific counterparty, and a specific scoring rubric. The merchants have been briefed and compensated. They will play their role honestly. They will not go easy on you."
There was a small groan from somewhere in the back. Pelegatta did not look in its direction.
"You will work in pairs. Pairs were assigned by faculty. They are not negotiable."
[Of course they aren't.]
