Location Black Swan Pond

[Gossamer]

Located on Kenash's elite east bank, Black Swan Pond is more than a pond. It is in fact an integral feature of Kenash and one of the social centers of the city. Black Swan Pond is in essence the parade ground for the Dynasty families of Kenash and is comprised of a huge park with riding trails and carriage paths throughout. Statue and benches are scattered all over the park, overshadowed by sweetgum and magnolia trees. It is here the wealthy show off the fruits of their plantation labor, display new fashions, and intermingle in a show of epic proportions. It is here, within this park, that children from the Dynasties steer well bred ponies through mazes and laugh with gusto playing on statues erected and donated by the various elite. Those who enjoy current popularity are often seen taking a carriage around the park, sometimes in the company of ladies they are courting or if they want to be scandalous in the company of mistresses. Those reigning supreme in Kenash society are often surrounded by their followers, who flock to the park to pay tribute to those they feel are the pillar for which all women envy and all men admire. And as if in warning, some days those pillars stand but often they fall and are replaced by now ones. It is not uncommon to see someone standing or sitting in Black Swan Pond park in order to have their portrait painted. Poets often frequent the site as well, writing ode’s to the beauty and grace found here. There are fishing ponds for the ladies and gentleman, though the sport itself is somewhat genteel. Black swan attendants wade in the ponds and assist fish to Kenashren hooks and are rewarded by small tokens given to them for the courtesy. Tokens can be acquired at the entrance to the park and are offered to the park slaves for them to act as porters for picnic baskets or for payment for them holding horses while riders dismount and stretch legs. Sometimes on hot days parcels are held aloft by Black Swan attendants. These attendants are usually children aged eight to fifteen. They are slaves loaned out to the park by arrangement of the magistrate, and are dressed all in browns with bright white tunics adorned with a black swan. These attendants are scattered throughout the park and have duties like picking up trash, horse droppings, and picnic remains. The pond itself is huge, dominated by decorative fish that range from orange to white to black. Black Swans, which give the park its name, nest on the banks and are often about, intermingled with white swans, to take hand outs from the passerby's. Flowers bloom in the park year round, providing it with a riot of color and beauty to match the dressed up patrons themselves.