I remember the way he recounted the story of what had happened that night to me like it was yesterday. As he turned to follow us into the late Banquo's funeral, he paused for a brief moment, as he felt a chilling presence appear behind him. He turned to see who was there, and what he saw was something that he at first could not even begin to believe, but quickly realized what he was seeing wasn't of his own imagination. It was truly the ghost of the late Banquo.
"Banquo, my old friend," Macbeth said.
"Don't you think that you no longer have the privilege of calling me an "old friend"?" Banquo asked, very sternly.
"I say, are you still in your most aggrieved state over what occurred?" Macbeth casually commented.
"Certainly, and even well beyond that as well," Banquo said.
"For what reason? You knew all too much about what was said, what could be, and what was foretold that you would become. All of that would stay in the way of my quest for power, and so, you had to be silenced, for my sake," Macbeth said.
"So is that what this was about? Power? Your sanity? Your precious "honor"? You murdered the sitting King of Scotland, not to mention me, all because you wanted more power for yourself?" Banquo asked in great anger.
"Why, of course. What else would warrant such decisions on my behalf? Surely you out of all people should understand what is at stake for me," Macbeth said.
"It is very unfortunate the path that you have now put yourself on here Macbeth. Do you understand that people could come after you should they ever know of the acts you committed?" Banquo asked.
"Oh, I know all too well," Macbeth said.
"Even if it was for power, why commit such acts then in the first place? Surely, thou could have gone about things in a completely different way than what you decided to do," Banquo said.
"I shall repeat what I have already spoken. Thou presented a threat to my quest for the crown. If thou was not silenced, then thou would stand in my way," Macbeth said.
"And yet, was it really worth it? Was it truly of worth to silence an honored man just to get what you desire?" Banquo asked.
There was then a moment of silence, as Macbeth took in what the ghost had just said to him. He then started to question why he was doing what he was doing, and he was once again questioning if it was truly of worth to kill Banquo, and even Duncan for that matter.
"You can't change what has already happened. What you can change is what can be. Come back to your senses, and the answer to what you should do now will be revealed," Banquo said.
Banquo then disappeared, not to be seen by Macbeth again. It was at this point Macbeth turned around and noticed that I was standing there, politely waiting on him.
"I thought I had asked you to escort my love inside," Macbeth said.
"And that I did. However, my lady had requested for me to come and check upon you," I said.
"I see," Macbeth said.
"Is everything alright?" I asked.
Macbeth then took one last look off into the distance, before joining me in going inside for the ceremony.
"Yes, everything is alright now. Now let's head inside, before we soak ourselves." Macbeth said.