Athena's government has cut off any land that doesn't have any buildings. This means, mountains, rivers, forest (expect for the small one within the city) and so forth. But there is one lake that runs through the city, providing water. However, everyone is forbidden to come here. Mutated animals run wild, poisonous plants bloom, and many people face their death here. For the safety of the people, it has been banished. However, many people follow the river bank to the forbidden lake - where they fish and produce crops. It's not like the government doesn't know this is happening either - but it doesn't hurt to have extra food, right? This is also a rather quiet place...good for executions. The Lake is near just about everything, excluding the Castle.