Although not yet ready to drop his plan, Cedric must increasingly face the reality that Athelstane, despite his royal pedigree, makes a poor candidate for king. But Prince John has already shown that royal blood without personal virtue makes a bad king. Even Athelstane’s challenge points to his shallow virtue since he doesn’t seem to expect Front-de-Bouef to accept it. Stylistically, Volume two follows each of the captives of Torquilstone in sequence even though the events it covers run in parallel. The recurring sound of a commotion at the gates links each narrative in time.