Chapter X - Niccolò Machiavelli
Micheletto had always been at ease in the service of Cesare Borgia, but his role in Signor Machiavelli's household paid well but made him feel uneasy all of the time. He had known his place to the Lord Borgia, whom he considered a friend as well as an employer, but he had none of the same rapport with Machiavelli. Machiavelli was in thrall to Piero de' Medici, who was evidently a fool who relied on his counsellor heavily for opinions and actions.
"Micheletto, I have news you might appreciate considering your allegiances," Machiavelli announced as he came upon the man polishing a sword, "news of the Borgia family."
"Yes, my lord?"
"It appears that Alfonso d'Aragon, the Lady Lucrezia's husband, has had an unfortunate accident that has cost him his life."
The assassin was intrigued, as he recognised the implication in his patron's tone, "A natural accident or one of my lord's designs?"
"Isn't that just the question," he replied, "if I were a malicious sort of man, I would say that the Prince of Salerno's accident was not that, but a means to sever ties with Naples after they foolishly tried to hold the Duchess of Bisceglie hostage but I have never been a wicked man, so that conclusion would never occur to me."
"Naturally, my lord," Micheletto concurred, growing ever more tired of his master's slippery words and personality, recollecting the clarity and directness of Cesare's attitude and nature.
A manservant entered the stables where Micheletto and his master were conversing to escort the latter to his own master who was demanding his presence at a meeting with the Pazzi family. The Pazzi were a distinguished Tuscan family who maintained their vast wealth partly in the Medici bank (and mostly in their own), which Signor Machiavelli controlled more than Piero the Unfortunate (as all of his subordinates called him behind his back) did.
Thus, Micheletto was left in welcome solitude to meditate on the apparent news that Cesare had done away with yet another brother-in-law. As Cesare had known of Micheletto's sodomite nature, so had he been entrusted with the knowledge of Cesare's incestuous affair with the Duchess of Bisceglie, his sister. Neither man had commented nor reacted badly to the news of the other's unconventional sexual preferences, both recognising in the other a kindred spirit of sorts.
An hour later, Machiavelli sat with the Grand Maestro of Florence, Piero de' Medici discussing the more worrying news that Giacomo de' Pazzi had brought up regarding the Lady of Imola, Caterina Sforza, with whom the Pazzi clan were considering an alliance.
"We ought to send a courier to His Lordship straight away," Machiavelli advised his master, "otherwise he will be most displeased if he ever uncovers the fact that we knew of this move in the game without forewarning him."
"And Cesare Borgia is a strong and powerful ally…" Piero thought aloud.
"Indeed, signore," Machiavelli replied, "and I have just the man for the job…"
Machiavelli took his leave without another word to his master and went in search of Micheletto who would be making a return trip to his former master. He also thought it might be an idea to suggest to the Duke of Valentinois that he retain Micheletto Corella as a manservant as his loyalties were obviously still entrammelled with the Borgia family and name, besides he paid his own mercenaries who were equal to his talents and he knew that Cesare Borgia had felt the loss of Micheletto once he had abandoned him to the second sons of the Romagna and it would be a sign of goodwill and friendship from Florence to Rome.