The mood changed so quickly it almost felt like the air itself had turned heavier. One minute the yard had been filled with restless conversations and impatient pacing.
The next, every man moved with quiet purpose. Crates were dragged from storage without a word. Lids snapped open, revealing rows of weapons wrapped in oilcloth. Magazines were counted, ammunition was sorted into neat piles. Knives flashed beneath the afternoon sun as they were tested for balance before disappearing into boots and sheaths.
Whatever line had existed before had disappeared. This wasn't about preparing for trouble anymore. They were preparing for war.
I stayed near the edge of the yard, watching instead of speaking. It was the first time I'd seen the club stripped of every distraction. There were no jokes fl
