J. Lee Coulter by Spirit Of McEwen Keep Page A

she were still alive...! Shaking her head, she set about her business of informing young Conan McEwen of his mission. It had taken six moons to get him desperate enough to accept any deed she set him to do, although she had been waiting for years to get to this point.
    As he gently snored in his sleep, Iona prepared to slip into his dream. Normally, it would have been a smooth transition...but, apparently, Conan did not have normal dreams! Just as she entered his dream world, she yelped as she was knocked flat on her arse!
    He towered over her, sword in hand, as he battled a huge green dragon. She watched his mastery of the weapon in awe as sweat trickled down his spine from his efforts. His deadly dance mesmerizing her.
    Conan was startled to see the lass when she appeared in the middle of his battle, pushing her out of harm’s way. He had not intended to knock her down. Focusing on the enemy before him, he shoved all thoughts of the lass to a dark corner. It was a dream he had often when he was over-tired...with no one the winner...just a constant battle until he woke.
    Iona watched and waited...and waited...and waited! More than an hour had passed before she had had enough.
    “Do ye ever win, me laird?”
    “Nay.”
    “Then why battle?”
    He glanced over his shoulder and glared at her.
    “If I do nae...he will win and I will die.”
    “But it is only a dream.”
    “Aye. What is your point?” How does she ken this is a dream? For that matter...who is she? His eyes narrowed with suspicion.
    Iona graced him with a dazzling smile. “M e point is that ye could vanquish the beast with a thought. The battle is nae necessary.”
    Conan slapped his hand over his face, wondering why he had not thought of that. Trying not to look ridiculous, he answered, “Where be the fun in that?”
    Her eyes widened, surprised. She swept her delicate hand in an arch. “Ye think this is fun? It appears tiresome ta me. But do, please, continue...if that be your wish. I do nae mind watching your muscles ripple as sweat beads on them . Tis quite pleasurable ta watch.”
    He arched his brow, grinning, as his ego swelled. Who is this brazen lass? If I do nae ken her, then how did she come ta be in me dream?
    Iona continued after faltering at his devastating smile. Tis too bad that I am dead...and him promised ta another. Oh well... She sighed.
    “I just thought that ye wished your queries answered . I suppose it will keep for another day...”
    “What? Who are ye?” All thoughts of the battle with the dragon disappeared...along with the beast, as he focused on the lass. “Are ye the one who will nae let me sleep?”
    She eyed him nervously for a moment. Old habits die hard...some never do. With a nod she spun about and quickly put a little distance between them. Once she felt safe, she continued.
    “M e name is Iona, that is all ye need ta ken, and I have chosen ye ta avenge me death!”
    Conan’s mouth dropped open as his mind raced.
    “Ye want me ta kill someone just ta get a night’s sleep?”
    She began to protest when he held up his hand to silence her. “Do nae get me wrong, lass. I did nae say I would nae do it. I would probably kill me own maither right now if it meant I could sleep,” he muttered the last part under his breath.
    “I did nae ask ye ta kill anyone! What I have in mind is more devious than that. I want this man ta die a thousand deaths!” She rubbed her hands together with glee as she saw Conan waiver.
    “Then go and haunt him ! He will pray for death once ye are through with him...I ken that I have!”
    Her laughter quavered through the air.
    “Forgive me, me laird, but it has ta be ye that accomplishes the task I ask of ye...nae other.”
    His head snapped up as he eyed her suspiciously.
    “Why me?”
    “ That is for me ta ken.”
    Conan mulled over what she had told him thus far, and could find nothing objectionable about her proposal. He grunted to himself.
    “So ye want me ta torture some man