Miracles

Juan Borgia: I should come with you, Father.

Rodrigo Borgia: We need you here. You must charm the King as long as possible, giving us time to move northward, and for Spain to lay siege to Naples.

Lucrezia Borgia: But Father, the last time Charles came to Rome, you remained.

Rodrigo Borgia: Last time, Charles believed us weak, we believed *ourselves* weak. There was no threat to him. Now the outcome is unknowable.

Lucrezia Borgia: So, when you are weak, you stay, but when you are strong, you flee?

Rodrigo Borgia: As long as even one Borgia dwells in Rome, our travels cannot be seen as flight, because your presence is a sign of our intention to return.

Lucrezia Borgia: But why must both of us stay?

Rodrigo Borgia: Charles will do you no harm.

Lucrezia Borgia: How can you be certain? You said no one would harm my mother.

Rodrigo Borgia: Because Juan will agree, on our behalf, to all the King's demands. Drown him in yeses. Any concordat can be reversed.

Juan Borgia: Holiness, I will reflect you as my armor does the sun.