Epigraphs are like little appetizers to the great entrée of a story. They illuminate important aspects of the story, and they get us headed in the right direction.
Ladies' Dance Pocketbook: Entwine
The Entwine, also known as the Gentleman's Catch, is an amusing and challenging redowa suitable for accomplished partners. Of Eathesburian origin, it dates to circa 1635, when Chevalier De Eathe (also known as the High King D'Eathe) reigned. As magic was common in this time period, the High King would catch and "entwine" people's souls after they had died, and subject them to the darkest of magics.
Over the years, the Entwine has evolved to a simple charade of this concept. Similar to a trois-temps waltz it is danced in open position with a long sash. The lady and gentleman each take ends of the sash, which their hands must not leave. In a series of quick steps (see below) the gentleman either twists the sash around the lady's wrists, pinning them (also known as the Catch), or the lady eludes capture within three minutes' time.
STEPS. Twist (35), Needle's Eye (35), Lady's Feint (36), Bridge Arc (36), Under-Arm Swoop (37), Thread (37), Beading the Sash (38), the Catch (38).
What's Up With the Epigraph?
The epigraph is a page taken from a made-up book on dance etiquette. Yawn. Oh wait—there's some relevant info here. We learn about the Entwine's origins (be ready for the High King D'Eathe to come up later in the book) as well as how it's been adapted into a modern dance. Lady + gentleman + scarf + 3 minutes = Entwine. Bam. The fact that this dance description opens up the whole book should tell us to pay attention to this thing called the Entwine, as it'll come up later. And when it does, it just might be important…