The sun hung low over the rolling hills of Kakheti, casting long shadows on the earth as David and his men approached the estate of Lord Giorgi, one of the most influential nobles in the region. The air was heavy with the scent of grapevines and freshly turned soil, but there was a distinct unease that clung to the atmosphere. David could sense it in the way the guards watched them from the gate, in the whispered conversations that ceased as they passed.
"Doesn't seem like they're eager to welcome us," Ivane muttered, his gaze shifting to the armed men standing just beyond the gate.
David remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the stone manor ahead. "We're not here to force them," he said finally, his voice low. "But they need to understand the stakes."
Ivane grunted in response, but his face was tight with tension. David knew his advisor wanted to deal with the nobles more forcefully, but this required a delicate hand. Kakheti was critical to Georgia's strength, and alienating the region could fracture the fragile unity David had fought so hard to build.
They approached the gates, where a guard stepped forward, eyeing them cautiously. "State your business," the man demanded, his voice steady but tinged with suspicion.
"I am David, King of Georgia," David replied, his tone authoritative but calm. "I've come to speak with Lord Giorgi."
The guard hesitated, glancing back at his fellow sentries before nodding curtly. "Wait here. I will inform the lord of your arrival."
As the guard disappeared inside, Ivane shifted uneasily beside David. "We shouldn't have to wait like this," he muttered under his breath.
David shot him a glance. "Patience, Ivane. We're not here to assert dominance. Not yet."
Minutes later, the gates creaked open, and the guard returned, bowing stiffly. "Lord Giorgi will see you."
David nodded, motioning for his men to follow as they entered the estate. The manor was impressive, its stone walls covered in creeping ivy, and the gardens surrounding it were meticulously maintained. Yet there was an air of disrepair, a subtle sign that the wealth and power of Kakheti might not be as solid as it appeared.
Inside, they were led to a grand hall, where Lord Giorgi sat at the head of a long table, flanked by several other nobles of the region. The tension in the room was palpable; the nobles' expressions guarded, some even hostile.
David stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Lords. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me," he began, his voice steady. "I know these are difficult times, but Georgia's strength lies in our unity. I've come to ask for your support."
Lord Giorgi, a tall man with greying hair and a stern face, leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "You've come all the way from Tbilisi to ask for our support," he said, his tone dripping with skepticism. "I find that hard to believe. What is it you really want, my king?"
David didn't flinch at the disrespectful tone, but Ivane's jaw tightened. Before he could speak, David held up a hand, silencing him. "I want Georgia to be strong," David said, his eyes locking with Giorgi's. "We are surrounded by enemies, and we cannot afford to be divided. I need your men. I need Kakheti's loyalty."
One of the other nobles, a younger man with a trim beard, scoffed. "Loyalty? Loyalty is earned, not demanded."
David met his gaze calmly. "And I've earned it. I've fought to keep this kingdom from falling apart. I've protected our people from invaders and rebuilt what was destroyed. I'm not here to demand anything. I'm here because I believe in Georgia, and I believe in our people."
Lord Giorgi's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a flicker of something in his gaze—perhaps recognition of the truth in David's words. "And what of the rumors?" Giorgi asked, leaning forward. "What of the whispers that you mean to replace us with men loyal only to you?"
David's expression didn't change. "I have no intention of replacing anyone. But I will not allow petty rivalries to weaken us. This is a time for unity, not division."
The room fell silent for a moment, the nobles exchanging uncertain glances. Finally, Giorgi spoke again, his tone more measured. "You speak of unity, but Kakheti has always been independent. We've ruled ourselves for generations. Why should we bend to the crown now?"
David's gaze hardened slightly. "Because if we don't stand together, we will all fall. Do you think the Seljuks care about your independence? Do you think they will spare Kakheti while the rest of Georgia burns?"
The younger noble from earlier shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the others. Lord Giorgi remained silent, his eyes fixed on David.
"I'm not your enemy," David continued, his voice softer now. "But we are at a crossroads. I need your strength and your loyalty to protect Georgia. And in return, I promise you this—Kakheti will not be forgotten. You will not be left to fend for yourselves."
The room remained tense, but there was a change in the air, a subtle shift in the nobles' expressions. David could see that some of them were beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.
Giorgi sighed, leaning back in his chair again. "You make a compelling argument, my king. But words alone are not enough. If we are to follow you, we need more than promises."
David nodded, understanding the challenge. "I will prove it to you," he said, his voice firm. "I will show you that Georgia's strength is in its unity. But I need your help to do it."
The silence that followed was heavy, but slowly, one by one, the nobles began to nod in agreement. Lord Giorgi, however, remained silent, his eyes still studying David.
Finally, he spoke. "Very well, David. I will stand with you. But know this—if you betray Kakheti, we will not forgive."
David met his gaze without flinching. "I won't betray you, Lord Giorgi. We will stand together."
Giorgi gave a small nod, a sign of cautious acceptance. The tension in the room began to ease, and the conversation turned to the practicalities of uniting their forces.
As David and his men prepared to leave, Ivane caught up to him, his expression a mixture of relief and admiration. "You handled that well," he said quietly.
David gave a small, tired smile. "It's just the beginning, Ivane. There's still much work to be done."
Ivane nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon as they mounted their horses once more. "But for now, Kakheti stands with us."
David's gaze was distant as they rode away, the weight of his responsibilities settling heavily on his shoulders. "Yes," he murmured. "For now."