Palace Estate

The residents of the estate are divided into two halves, the inhabitants of the Shadow palace and the Royal Palace.

The inhabitants of the Shadow Palace are the soldiers of the Shadow Army, the school children, and the teachers. All of these people come from all walks of life, but most do not have freedom to roam over the whole estate.

The Royal Palace is where the Royal Family live along with the servants that make up the Royal Household. There is also a selection of nobles at different times of year who make up the Court and the Tsar's Council.

The entire estate is under the control of the Tsar and his council, but the day to day running of the Royal Palace is done by the Chief of Staff and the running of the Shadow palace is done by the Head of the Shadow Army both of whom report to the Tsar but (at least during the reign of my grandfather) are largely left to their own devices.

The entire estate is surrounded by two curtain walls and sits high on a hill surrounded by a moat which can only be accessed via three entrances.

The main entrances to the two palaces are on the east side of the building, each a heavily guarded gate with a drawbridge over the moat which is pulled up every night.

On the west side there is the service entrance which is even more heavily guarded.

All of these gates open into the Capital city which has its own heavily guarded gates and walls.

It is the most difficult place in the world to get into, and to sneak out of and I should know, having tried several times to escape in my wild teenage years.