Darq’s beginnings
Two weeks after the novel JEWELS OF THE SKY was published, I found a Native American Indian doll on e-bay that resembled the book’s heroine, and that is how the doll became the book’s avatar–a Wysotti Indian startfighter named Darq. This blog is an ongoing, fictional conversation between me and Darq. How did this transformation from Native American Indian doll to Darq came about? Well–
DARQ: Catherine is stepping aside to
let me tell a tale of my hair cut! Here goes:

Darq: Hello, Jud! Pleased to meet you.
Jud: Likewise. What can I do for you today?
Darq: I need my braids trimmed.
Jud: That I can do.

Jud: Goodness, these are long.
How much do you want taken off?
Darq: About half.

Jud: One off, one to go.

Jud: Hair clippings are a hazard sometimes.
Darq–thinking to self: Jud not only used scissors, but a razor, clippers, and two
brushes, just like he does on real people.
And, bless the stars, he saved the two cut ends for me. (Not that I have a clue what to do with them, but Catherine says she’ll take them.)

My hair is trimmed to regulation length befitting a Wysotti Indian starfighter pilot. But, since I’m on leave, I think I’ll just read Jewels of the Sky and see if Catherine got that story right.