The Bohka Palace in the city of Kislev is guarded by three hundred of Tzarina Katarin's most loyal Kossars. These soldiers, the Bokha Palace Guard, play a vital part in the Ice Queen's plans to expand the standing army with cavalry, and to gradually phase out Ungol law in Kislev.[1a]
The Palace Guard conducts weekly parades through the city. Recent parades have featured small units of mercenary cavalry from the Empire and Tilea marching alongside the Kossars. Katarin hopes these cavalrymen will come to be accepted as part of the Palace Guard and will eventually be replaced by Winged Lancers. If one rota of Winged Lancers accepts the honour of serving in the Palace Guard, then others will surely follow.[1a]
The Palace Guard is also a recruitment pool for Katarin’s secret police (or Chekists). Ungols who serve in the Palace Guard are watched closely. The most trusted are enticed with rewards to train with the Chekists and return to their home villages as "legal advisors". Their mission usually involves persuading village elders to "modernise" outdated Ungol laws. Gospodar Chekists are occasionally recruited from the Palace Guard as well, but not as frequently, or deliberately, as Ungols.[1a]
Kislev's regular Kossars are becoming resentful of the Palace Guard, having watched them receive additional wages and perks even as their own wages are lowered.[1a]