The next two pages after the jump:
(For the past few months, I've been posting my comic about Machiavelli—the father of political science—to the site. To read the story thus far, see my previous diaries or check out my web site. Hope you enjoy it.)
Notes: Caterina Sforza's son has been serving as a condottiere (a mercenary captain) for Florence. The notoriously cheap Florentine government has sent Machiavelli to get him to renew his contract while conceding as little as possible in return. Caterina, for her part, wants a fair commission, but even more, she desires a formal alliance with Florence. Florence wants no part of such an alliance, as they would be bound to assist her should she be attacked. Caterina's uncle Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan also needs men as he's threatened by the French to his west, and she feels an obvious loyalty to him.