“It’s been a while since I worked a case like this. Three horrible crimes:  all of the victim’s members of noble houses. One saddening victim being the King of Scotland himself supposedly murdered in his sleep by his own men. Filthy wretches!  May God curse their immortal souls! But of course there is doubt... Good Macbeth in a rage killed those men before they could even deny their crime… What a curious reaction… Not allowing them to stand trial and protest against such accusations, mayhap his rage was out of fear for their words more than love of his King.
Of course that’s why I’m here, Detective and noblewoman; Lady Dyanii Pendragon.  I’m one of the best detectives in Europe.  I have worked cases around the world no matter how unladylike it may be and today I work the case to solve my King’s murder, as well as investigate the deaths of Lady Macbeth and brave Banquo.” Lady Dyanii said quietly as she headed to the throne room, her red hair flowing down her back as if it was a halo of fire. She looked magical as she stepped into the room and curtsied before her new King she wore a brilliant green dress cut in the shape of the latest Parisian fashion, as she looked at the King her scarlet lips curved into a tiny smile as she addressed him.
“My Lord it is a pleasure to be of service to you. I will work my hardest to find out the truth about your beloved father, your servant Banquo and the wretched wife of the treacherous Macbeth.” She said softly her voice like music in the air as she spoke. “I’ll learn what I can from the traitor before his end is brought upon him.” She said with a small smile and she looked around grimacing as the nobles glared at her with contempt, she hated life at court and dreaded when she was required to return. Nobles let alone a noble woman did not solve crimes and travel around the country it was highly improper but she didn’t care.

“My Lady I would be eternally in your debt if you can solve this murder my subjects are all at your command if you need any type of aid, any help you wish shall be yours all you must do is ask. My brother Donalbain will advise and assist you.”  Malcolm said softly a quite authority in his voice as if he wasn’t yet used to the power that came with being King. Malcolm nodded his headed slightly and Dyanii knew that was her dismissal and she backed out off the room Prince Donalbain was waiting outside for her and she bobbed a curtsy.

“Your highness, it’s an honor to be of service to you.” The woman murmured softly as she looked up at him through lowered lashes. He smiled at her his teeth flashing brilliantly; he studied the woman for a second before he spoke.

“I suppose it would be best if you spoke with traitor himself Macbeth… I’ll take you to him, but be warned he is dangerous and not in his right mind.” Donalbain said quietly flint in his eyes as he mentioned Macbeth’s name. The Prince had not forgiven the disgraced Lord for his crimes nor would he ever. Turning on his heels the Prince walked away setting a brisk pace as he headed towards the dungeon with Dyanii close on his heels straining to catch up. As they raced through the halls Dyanii took in the palace, it was neat and dark but gave off an air of sophistication. Heads turned as they saw the Prince and Lady walking and they quickly began murmuring starting the rumor mill up once more.
As they descended into the dungeon the air grew colder and the scent of death and fear was almost tangible. People who went into the dungeon rarely came out alive. When the pair got to Macbeth’s cell he looked up at them with dull blue eyes, the life that used to be within them almost burned out. He hung his head low no expression on his gaunt face and his dirty hair fell into his eyes. Dyanii shuddered she hadn’t expected this emaciated shadow of a man but that was all that was left of him. Donalbain glared daggers before he turned and walked away leaving the Lady alone with the murderer.

“Hello, do you know who I am? Hello? Lord Macbeth?” she asked curiously as she looked at the shadow of a man before her. He only stared blankly and rocked back and forth, he was very childlike for a murderer she thought. “Hmm… No matter, my name is Dyanii Pendragon and I’m investigating the deaths of King Duncan, your wife, and Banquo… Do you remember them?” she asked as she sat on a chair that had been brought to her. His eyes went wide and he let out a blood curling scream and grabbed the bars of his cell and reached for her.

“Save me! Help me! Their beckoning me towards the realm of death and I know Heavens Gates will hold firmly shut so that I shall not pass! Even The Father shall rebuke me and I will be embraced by Satan!” Macbeth screamed hoarsely then he started mumbling hurriedly to himself as he moved his hands together vigorously as if washing them clean. He looked down at his hands then looked at Dyanii. “C-can you help me? T-this stain won’t come out…” He looked at her imploringly then backed into a corner into the fetal position and started to whimpers as he stared blankly at the detective. Dyanii looked at the man with pity then sighed pulling out a writing pad, ink, and a black feather writing quill.

“Poor man… Broken by death… No matter he brought it on himself. Who do you want to talk about first? You’re King? You’re wife? Or friend?” She asked as she looked at Macbeth clearly bored then she began tossing little beads at him forcing the man to look at her. He glared at her then looked away before coming closer.

“What do you want to know? How my wife and I planned the murder of our King the after three wretches told me my future? First Thane of Cawdor then King of Scotland, ha what a joke. I killed the king I stabbed him in his sleep.  I couldn’t even say Amen!” He yelled at her coming up quickly and he grabbed her hand through the bar and squeezed it tightly as he continued. She gasped her face tight as she tried pulling away pain on her face. “Then my wife that horrible Delilah she who planned the murder went back in that accursed room and covered the guards in the Kings blood for I could not. And she who could not murder him begged me to claiming I was not a man if I could not perform the deed. I felt unclean and unholy but I held my tongue, I led Macduff into the murdered Kings chamber knowing the sight he would see. Oh the terror I felt, I felt as if my time was running out but who would suspect Macbeth?” He asked with an insane cackle before he pushed the lady away. She rubbed her wrist then began writing furiously as she listened to the man give his confession. “Oh how surprised I acted and in a mad rage I killed the two men who could claim to have seen me that night. Oh yes, I killed the drunken guards as well! I killed them dead, no telling tales on Macbeth for them!” He screamed yelling at the top of his lungs it seemed now that he had started he would continue in earnest as if a dam had been broken inside of him. With a shout Prince Donalbain ran down the steps a sword in his hands expecting to see the lifeless body of the woman who only stared at him before turning back to Macbeth.

“Then what? What happened to Banquo? Did you kill him yourself and why?” She asked looking at Macbeth excitement in her face it seemed she found joy in this macabre tale. Donalbain faltered looking at her with distrust before he backed up against the wall listening as Macbeth spoke.  Macbeth looked at her like she was stupid and shook his head before he began.
“Ha girl you aren’t very bright, of course I didn’t kill the wretch myself! I was king it would have been beneath me. I hired three men to murder him and that damned son of his.” Macbeth said in a flurry as he continued into the story of the murder of his best friend and the attempt on his son’s life. “Banquo knew the prophecy therefore he had to die lest he suspect me of murder. Only he would know. And his son must die too of course, I couldn’t let Banquo be the sire of many kings after I had done all of the hard work! It was I who committed the crime that brought me my crown, so why should he be the father of many kings and not I!” He screamed throwing himself against the bars and he looked right into the woman’s eyes he looked feral and savage in the dim light.

“Oh my... That’s two confessions already… Now what about your dear wife did you play a hand in her death as well?” Dyanii asked curiously her eyes sparking with interest as she stared at the man before her face semi-impassive she’d seen crazier stunts in her travels. But for some reason she couldn’t believe the man before her could kill his own wife though he could kill his king and best friend. Macbeth stared at her blankly and shook his head.

“No, I merely gave her the knife with which she probably took her own life. She was unable to handle the result of what we did. Ha more like I was no longer her puppet on strings… The wentch tricked me… It was her idea to kill Duncan all along but she got me the fool to do it for her.” Macbeth said quietly and he slunk back to his corner in the cell his eyes dimming. He was to nevermore speak. Dyanii stood and grabbed the Prince and they walked upstairs talking quietly about what they had heard and about the strange prophecy that Macbeth had said. That night after Lady Dyanii had retold her tale to the new King she left not wanting to be there for the execution which would happen at dawn. MacDuff would get his final revenge for the gruesome deed ordered by Macbeth. All seemed well enough but Dyanii knew better she shared a secret smile as she passed three hags standing over a cauldron.

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.” The hags repeated over and over again their chant growing steadily louder. Dyanii heard their chant and shuddered not wanting to know what eerie trouble they would brew up next and she galloped away her horse flying across the Scottish plains.