“Yeah,” Blaze said. “You’ll have a clean shot on the mouth. If anything goes wrong, you’ll see it first.”
“And what about me?” Graycloud asked.
“You stay near the base,” Blaze said. “Hide among the rocks. If anyone tries to come up behind me, or if I make it out alive, you’ll be my way out.”
“And if you don’t make it out?” Marisol asked, exhaling sharply.
“Then you two ride back to town,” Blaze said. “Warn the pastor, get Rachel out.”
“Blaze,” she said, her voice low.
He looked up. Her eyes were bright, reflecting the faint orange light from below.
“You think I’m lettin’ you walk into that mine alone?”
“I ain’t asking,” Blaze said. “I’m telling you.”
Graycloud rose to his feet slowly.
“She is right to be angry,” he said. “You walk into the heart of the wolf’s den. Even if your disguise fools them, the scent of your purpose will not.”
“I’ll manage,” Blaze said.
“You always say that,” Marisol muttered.
He grinned. “And I’m always right.”
“Until you’re not.”
He laughed softly, then leaned forward, drawing his hat brim low. “If I’m gonna pass for a drifter, I’ll need to look the part,” he said.
Marisol eyed him skeptically. “You already look half-dead.”
“Then I’m halfway there.”
Graycloud stepped closer, unclipping a small pouch from his belt.
“Here,” he said. “Ash. From our last fire. Rub it into your face. Make yourself ghostlike.”
Blaze took it, dusting the gray powder over his jaw and neck. The gritty feel sank into his skin. He looked like he’d been walking the desert for days.
Marisol rummaged in her saddlebag and tossed him an old coat, frayed and dirty.
“Wear this,” she said. “Looks like somethin’ a beggar would trade for whiskey.”
Blaze slipped it on, the fabric rough and stiff with dust. “How do I look?”
“Like a fool,” Marisol said.
“Perfect.”
Graycloud handed him a small flask. “For your throat. Drifters always carry thirst.”
Blaze nodded his thanks, then tucked it inside the coat.
Marisol leaned back against the rock, shaking her head.
“You sure you can pull off harmless?” she asked. “You’ve got too much edge for it.”
