Paths as well as vines, fountains, and sitting areas are decoratively placed through out the courtyard. It's a place where people are welcome and arrive to enter the castle of the court.
Courtyard exterior, Outside Palace
servant
guard
I guard the castle.  I guard the king.  I would kill to protect the royal family.
How are you today fellow worker of the kingdom? I am well, but I miss my family. Yes it is a lot of work and very rarely get to go home. And I cannot read, so thus not even a letter from home will soothe my lonely heart. Truly a harsh life. And I tracked a small bit of mud in with my shoe, so my master took it away. He seems quite horrid. Yes, very strict. And you, how is the life of a guard? Not hard work but long and tedious. Oh I can see how that must be, standing around all day long. And your family? They do well but I only come home at night. You are so fortunate to see them every night. And you have your own home? I must stay in a damp room in the basement.