"and both that morning equally lay
in leaves no step had trodden black."

which idea is conveyed by this part of the extended metaphor that is created throughout the poem?
a. one path seems to hold more promise than the other.
b. both decisions seem equally likely to turn out poorly.
c. neither decision appears to be better than the other.
d. only two choices would turn out well.

B.) Both decisions seem equally likely to turn out poorly.

This means that since the extended metaphor above states "And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black." It has the answer kind of in the sentence. It preferably states "No step" and "Black"  telling you it's really quite not going to turn out well. So each other two would turn out poorly. (I hope this helps enough to get the right answer)