A/N: This is my first story and I don't profess to be good at this kind of stuff. Enjoy the story and send in as many reviews as you like =) Thanx!

Chapter 1:

"Hey, more beer over here!" someone called out from across the tavern impatiently.

Liza Wellson grinded her teeth and resisted the strong urge to give him a sound kick. The tavern was hot and stuffy with hardly enough air to breathe in. Liza knew she ought to be thankful as business was booming, but how could she feel like that when she was soaked in perspiration, her legs ready to give way any minute and all she wanted to do was to crawl back to bed. Liza sighed, absentmindedly tucking a stray curl of hair that had escaped from her tight bun behind her ear.

"Lady, you deaf or something? Where's my beer?" the same person demanded.

Liza swore under her breath. How dare he! That low-lying swine dared to insult her like that. Sparks flared from her sea-coloured eyes, turning them into a darker green. She would love to teach him a lesson or two.

"That god-damned ." Liza was ready to fly at the arrogant swine when someone touched gently on her shoulder. Liza whirled around to see her mother holding a pitcher of beer and frowning at her.

"You really should keep that temper of yours down, Liza" her mother lectured in a stern tone but the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth gave her away.

"It's no use, Ma. They deserve a lesson," Liza protested.

"Not the kind you're about to give."

"That's my business!"

"We are running a tavern. We need customers."

"Well. then that's too bad."

"Liza."

"But."

Liza sagged her shoulders in defeat. Why did things always have to end up this way, she grumbled. She grabbed the pitcher of beer and set it on the patron's table a little too hard, causing beer to slosh onto the table.

"Last time I heard that sure isn't the way to serve customers, lady ," he mocked at her. Laughter erupted from the table which made Liza blush furiously with embarrassment. The way he mockingly called her lady irritated her so much she had to clench her fists till her knuckles turned white. Taking deep breaths, she turned quickly. She tried hard to ignore the laughter that grew even harder. Some people just didn't know when to stop, she thought darkly. Even her siblings avoided her carefully for the rest of the night, seeing how grim she looked.

As the night wore on, the customers dwindled to only one or two left. Liza plopped herself onto an empty seat and fanned herself desperately with a towel. When everyone called it a night, Liza scrambled to her room and hurriedly changed into a shirt and breeches. She then carefully tied her hair into a bun and placed it under a cap. There! That was much better.

Liza looked down from her window to make sure the coast was clear before climbing out of her window. She then leapt to a huge tree nearby before descending slowly. Stepping in to the cool night air, Liza breathed in deeply, her sprits lifted considerably. That and also the thought of meeting Dan again, Liza admitted. He had always been there for her and acted as her older brother.

Liza soon reached their meeting place. A huge tree overseeing the lake of Tora. Seeing Dan Cumming sitting alone on the tree branch, Liza decided to scare him. As stealthily as a cat, she climbed up the tree and screamed, "Boo!" as loudly as she could. Liza took delight in seeing Dan nearly losing his balance.

"Liza! For the love of Tora, never do that again. You scared a whole lifetime out of me," Dan exclaimed.

Liza swallowed her giggles and looked appropriately remorseful. But when Dan raised his eyebrows suspiciously, Liza fell into a giggling state and soon had hiccups. Dan thumped her soundly on the back until they had both calmed down. Silently, they sat next to each other, admiring the moonlight flickered on the shimmering lake. "Liza, this is for you," Dan whispered into her ear. Liza turned and gasped when she saw a heart-shaped necklace. "Oh Dan, how beautiful.but the cost." Liza trailed off. Both of them knew that they were far too poor to afford such trinkets. Dan waved his hand impatiently, "Don't think about that."

"Come on, I'll help you put it on." Dan took off her cap and untied her bun, letting her abundant curls to flow freely down her back. He took the necklace and placed it against Liza's neck. He clasped it and, leaned back to admire her. He drew in a sharp breath when he was struck by the thought of how beautiful Liza was. He placed his hand on her cheek and slowly caressed it. Liza's eyes widened. Dan had never touched her like that before. The next thing she knew, Dan was leaning closer and closer to her face.