Free The Citadel (Mirror World Book #2) by Alexey Osadchuk

himself, preferring to invest in his animal instead. Which, I began to understand, was a costly pastime.
    "What can I say? He's beautiful," I replied in all honesty.
    The gnome grinned, pleased. His gray beard and mustache stood on end. "Everybody likes my Kosma," he nodded, giving the beast a hearty slap on his massive armored side. "My breadwinner."
    The gigantic rhino ignored the slapping and continued to chew on something.
    "I can imagine him in battle," I said.
    "Well, he's not really battle-geared, is he? My Kosma is a regular draught animal, what common folk call a hauler. To go into battle, you need a special combat mount. Because mobs, they ignore haulers as long as the owner is alive. A draught pet can't pull aggro to itself. They don't fight. But in a way you're right. They can be quite useful. They can absorb some of the damage. They can heal. And share some of their protection with you. Still he's no warrior so I don't expect miracles. In battle you can only count on yourself. But a combat mount, that's different! Even though they're not easy to come by, as you well know."
    "And how about his armor?" I asked.
    "The haulers' armor increases their Strength, Stamina and Capacity, among other things. But I repeat, it can only increase a pet's draught characteristics. Which are definitely my Kosma's forte."
    "I see," I said. "So he's a bit like a giant tank with a sawn-off gun which is adapted to be used as a draught horse."
    Uncle Vanya chuckled. "Not really. If I can extend your metaphor, my Kosma has never been a tank nor an armored vehicle. He was born a hauler."
    "I think I begin to understand. Is there a chance for me to get a similar creature?"
    "An Andagar? I don't think so. I won mine last year in an event. They only had fifty of them in the draw. I still can't believe my luck. With your account type you can only have a draught animal if your profession requires one. For instance, if you're a farmer or a coachman like myself. Lots of professions, I can't remember them all. Had you had a Bronze plan, then yes, starting level 15 they have a draught animal quest available."
    "I see," I repeated. "But zero accounts can still level up Riding, can't they?"
    "They can indeed," the gnome nodded. "No problem there provided the money is right."
    "Okay. I'm sorry to bother you. I just like your Kosma very much."
    The gnome slapped the beast's giant armored flank again. "It's all right. We're waiting anyway. Time goes faster with a nice chat. And as for my beastie... it may look cool now that it's fully grown and strong. But first you need to raise him; you need to feed and heal him, even play with him. Can you believe I read him bedtime stories? You also need some place to keep him. That's where he respawns if, God forbid, he dies in battle. Draught animals are unsummonable. They don't come with a summoning charm like combat mounts or other pets. I'm not going to complain though. Once the worst is over, your beastie starts to pay for itself. He makes me enough for my bread and butter and then something on top!"
    Suddenly he zoned out — apparently receiving a message. "I'm sorry but I have to leave you," he said once he'd finally come back to life. "The caravan needs me. It's been a pleasure."
    "Likewise," I nodded as I watched him leave for the far end of the caravan.
    While I'd been gawking at wagons tut-tutting at the sight of all the amazing beasts, other passengers had begun to gather by the gates. And I used to think that this was a one-horse town! Judging by the number of passengers, the caravanners were doing very well indeed.
    The bulk of the players were low-level, including a few Grinders like myself. The Citadel seemed to be popular among quest-giving NPCs assigning tasks like delivering letters or fetching items. There's apparently no limit to stupid assignments like those.
    I could easily tell those of the passengers who'd only planned "to stay overnight". They wore cheap disposable cloaks. They cast