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
guard
merchant
I sell and trade items to earn money. I am not royalty. I live in villages and can travel far distances.
Well... that's a rather personal question, even the wouldn't want me to tell you Well no one gets to see the King without my say-so, so off with you then. You wouldn't want to do that, if leave without seeing the king, he'll have your head on a stake by morning I doubt that very much.  The King only accepts visits from non-nobles in exceptionally rare circumstances. We have really important things to discuss, matters even the queen can not hear about Right, and I've got a bridge to sell you in Cathay.  Move along - and no lollygagging! Only if you knew how badly each seconds wasted affects the  life of your king If you are truly here to see the king what proof have you?  A royal warrant?  A signet ring? I guess I'll just have to sit around till the kings sends for me and demands an explanation from me for taking so long to return from the mountain of the dead Better make yourself comfortable, it's a long time between now and never. I pray you find favour in his sight when he finds out,because your loyalty won't matter to him when his daughter his dead Daughter eh?  Pull the other one!