In Greg Roesberry’s book YURI Preparing for Battle Book 3, three young travelers walk the streets of Gulls Landing with heavy pouches of gold. Yuri, Starling, and Johnny just sold wagons and horses. They feel uneasy. The town feels loud and dirty. Starling wrinkles her nose at the smells. She comes from a clean elf village and finds it hard to get used to.
Three Strangers Watch From Across The Street
Yuri notices three men staring from the other side of the street. Johnny speaks first about feeling uncomfortable with so much gold. Starling tells them to ignore the men and not use their gifts. They head to the livery stable. An older man in dirty overalls asks if they want horses. Yuri checks each one quietly with his inner sense.
Yuri Picks The Right Horse With Surprising Skill
The man offers an old gray horse first. Yuri says no. He points out problems with the other horses, one bad eye, one bad knee, one not broken. The stable owner laughs because Yuri is right about everything. They agree on a fair price for the bay horse and stabling for the others. The owner, Gary Hyde, even pays for their meal at Roma’s as a kind gesture.
A Warm Meal And A Small White Glow In The Distance
At Roma’s the smell of fresh pie makes Yuri think of his mother. Starling feels his sadness and holds his hand. They eat simple food. Yuri leaves a gold coin for the waitress and cook. Outside the three men still watch. Later Yuri and Starling use second sight. They spot a small white glow just outside town. It belongs to someone gifted.
Meeting Chad And Offering Him Real Freedom
They ride to a quiet farm and meet Chad Dearing. He lives alone after losing his family. Chad senses they are different. Yuri and Starling explain their plan for a school where gifted people can learn freely. They offer training in weapons, books, nature, and gifts but promise real choice. Chad feels relieved. He decides to sell his farm and join them.
The First Night Brings Danger And A Strange Crystal
That night someone uses a glowing crystal to put Yuri and Johnny into deep sleep. Starling stays awake. Three robbers plan to rob them and sell them as slaves. Starling plays scared, asks questions, and learns how the crystal works. When the time comes she moves fast with her sword at the leader’s throat. She forces him to wake the boys. They capture the men without killing them.
This part of the book shows Yuri and his friends moving carefully through everyday dangers while searching for others like them. It leaves you wondering what waits ahead on their journey to the volcano. The story feels real and builds quiet curiosity about the bigger fight coming in spring.