Author's Note: I was not planning to put this chapter up for another couple of weeks, but since Terry's ending the blog system, I suppose I'll have to write it now if ever.  Fortunately chapter 5 was going to be the last chapter anyway.  Unfortunately now there won't be a Book 3, at least not here.  Without further ado, let's rejoin our hero.

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Tired from my battle with the dragon, I went to investigate what the footsteps were.  As I turned the dark corner into the hall from the dragon's room, I saw that there was a Minotaur at a distance, stomping around. 

"This Minotaur must be the strongest minion the dragon was talking about," I thought to myself.

Unfortunately the Minotaur was blocking my only way out of the lair, so it was either face the Minotaur or make my home in the dragon's lair.  The latter was not appealing to me, so I made my way quietly over to this new beast, hoping to catch it by surprise.

That strategy did not quite work, however, as the Minotaur was able to sense my approach and turned toward me, eyes looking down on me angrily, as if he was ready to kill.  Without a word the Minotaur took out its battle axe and held the weapon high in its hand.  As I wearily drew my sword, the Minotaur readied his attack.  I braced myself for defense, trying to plan my next move.  Just then, I heard the most agonized scream I had ever heard.  It was the Minotaur, crying out in pain.  An arrow had pierced its back.

"We got him!" a voice excitedly proclaimed in the background.  Further down the path there were two figures approaching.  As they got closer, I saw the faces of two of my comrades.

"The dragon was your fight, but let us help you with this one," said one of my comrades.

Revitalized by the sight of my friends, I nodded and readied my next attack.  I dealt a few blows, weakening the Minotaur to set him up for defeat at the hands of my other companion, who defeated the Minotaur handily after my attack and the arrow.

My comrades and I walked out of the dragon's lair together, defeating a few minor foes here and there, but mostly enjoying each other's company and talking about our adventures since we last parted.

We left the lair, saying our goodbyes as my comrades headed back to town.  Looking off to the east I saw the sun rising above the distant mountains.  I sat on the ground to watch the sun finish rising.  As I rested my hands on the ground they were refreshed by the fresh dew on the grass.  The morning breeze was just the right temperature for a refreshing feeling on my face.  It would be a warm, sunny day as I walked back to the town on my own, taking my time to enjoy the scenery, almost as if I hadn't seen it before.

I returned home, a hero in the eyes of all who knew me in the town I called home.

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Epilogue

A few days later, I walked out to my mailbox and found a letter from the next kingdom to the east.

"News of your heroic achievements has reached us here, and we must say we are impressed.  Come train with the heroes of our kingdom--the likes of which you have not seen where you are from.  Should you accept and join with us, we will pay you handsomely.  Please arrive in three months if you wish to join us."

Three months would be more than enough time for the excitement of my quest to wear off, I thought.  I decided to take them up on their offer in hopes of training with the best.  My quest ends here, but a new one begins soon.