Well this is it. Um the usual, chapter one has the disclaimer and remember the three R's.

No warning needed, it's safe.

Epilogue

A lone rider dashed through the forest, his horse deftly jumping streams and fallen branches as he hurried to reach the gates; the plan had gone ill. When the gates came in sight, he sounded his horn, signaling to the guards that the gate should be opened for at last he had returned. As he rode through the gates, he gave no look to the guards, though, for he had much more important matters to attend to. His horse took him to the door of the fortress that was guarded by the gates. He dismounted, leaving his horse for a servant to attend to and rushed through the door, into a hallway when some called out.

'Stop,' the voice echoed through the vast hallway, amplifying the sound all the more. The rider stopped, the voice was behind him. Slowly he turned, facing the voice behind him. The voice belonged to a man, who was shrouded in a black cloak. The rider lowered the hood on his grey cloak in deference to the man.

'Did you find him,' the man in the black cloak asked.

'Yes,' the rider answered.

'And,' he was annoyed by the rider's brevity.

'He escaped.'

'How?'

'Some elves found the camp. They killed my men when I wasn't there,' the rider explained.

'You left?' he quickly grew infuriated by the rider's incompetence.

'Yes, I am sorry master,' the rider lowered his head.

'How did the rangers fare?' he changed the topic.

'They were surprised by our attack; I do not think they expected it.'

'And the captain,' he asked.

'Dead,' the rider answered looking up; there was no remorse at having struck down the defenseless man. 'The band is in shambles, it will be some time before they can regroup.'

'They are not our concern any longer,' he chided the rider.

'Yes master,' the rider nodded in understanding.

'Go now, leave,' he commanded.

'Yes master,' as the rider glanced up, a stream of light caught a metal brooch on his cloak and splintered across the smooth, carved surface revealing it to be a star with six points.

So, that's it for Two Paths. Thanks to all who have reviewed and read the story. Your support has helped me to continue with the story. Now go to the next chapter to get a little treat for sticking with the story for so long. Oh and there will be a sequel to this, but it'll be a bit before it's up. Happy Holidays!!