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.
What are you doing here boy? My master wanted me to clean this area. Good, did you need any help? The Queen and her retinue is going to be here shortly. I have to scrub the bird poop off the marble benches surrounding the fountain. Well I am a guard so i might leave you to do the dirty work. Of course sir. I just do what I am told. The is such a beautiful place. It will be much prettier without the bird poop.  You'd better hurry,the queen will arrive here soon. Do you have family sir? I miss mine. I haven't seen them in years. Yes, I did. They were killed in the wars so i moved away to start a new life. Sorry sir. Too much tragedy in the world. There will be even more when the Queen arrives I hear. Well it is my duty to protect her. So I obey her every word. Her retinue is going to arrest a guard on the spot and behead him for treason. I have to wipe up any blood that gets on the marble.