CRYSTAL LAND

THE HAND

EXT. AYINLA PALACE — GARDEN — NIGHT

Xena looks back.

The palace is no longer visible.

She is certain the Prince can’t see her.

She turns toward the darkness.

Then continues.

Deeper.

The trees grow thicker around her.

The sounds of the feast disappear completely.

Xena’s hand moves to the chain around her neck.

It begins to glow.

She looks down.

The compass in her other hand glows too.

The needle trembles.

Then points forward.

Xena follows.

Unaware the Prince is watching.

He had stood in the garden for a while before deciding to return to the feast.

But as he turns. He catches sight of someone moving between the trees.

Xena.

He stops.

PRINCE

Why is she going in there?

Curiosity gets the better of him.

He follows.

Keeping his distance.

Xena moves farther into the darkness.

The glow around her grows brighter.

But the Prince is too far away to see it.

Then—

Xena stops.

Her eyes widen.

Something is standing in front of her.

A HAND suddenly reaches out from the darkness.

It grips her wrist, and pulls.

Xena is dragged forward.

XENA

Ah!

The Prince sees it.

His expression changes.

PRINCE

XENA!

The moment he shouts, the glow disappears. The hand vanishes. Xena falls to the ground. The Prince rushes toward her.

PRINCE

Xena!

He kneels beside her.

PRINCE

Are you alright?

Xena looks frightened.

She quickly hides the compass beneath her dress.

XENA

I

She looks down at her ankle.

XENA

Oh… I think I sprained my ankle.

The Prince notices her discomfort.

Without hesitation, he lifts her into his arms.

Xena’s eyes widen.

XENA

No, put me down!

PRINCE

You’re hurt.

XENA

I can walk.

PRINCE

You’re not walking anywhere.

He carries her back toward the palace.

Xena looks over his shoulder.

Her eyes return to the darkness.

Nothing.

Just trees.

But in her hand.

The compass gives one faint—

CLICK.

Xena’s expression tightens.

She quickly closes her hand around it.

CUT TO:

INT. AYINLA PALACE — CORRIDOR — LATER

The Prince sets Xena down carefully.

She steadies herself.

PRINCE

You should rest.

Xena nods.

XENA

Thank you, Your Highness.

She quickly walks away.

The Prince watches her disappear around the corner.

Something about her behavior doesn’t make sense.

CUT TO:

MONTAGE — THE FOLLOWING DAYS

Xena turns down another corridor when she sees the Prince approaching.

The Prince enters the garden.

Xena is already gone.

At breakfast, Xena keeps her distance.

The Prince looks across the room.

Xena avoids his eyes. He tries to approach her.

She finds an excuse to leave.

Xena touches the chain beneath her clothes, remembering the hand in the darkness.

The Prince watches her from across the palace.

Confused.

She is avoiding him.

And he doesn’t know why.

CUT TO BLACK.