Choosing Sides

November-December, 1886

This chapter begins just moments after Galahad’s dive into the river. Its lone scene serves as a narrative bridge to the story’s final, fatal confrontation.

This hallucinatory sequence of images shows us Galahad’s rescue and recovery at the hands of Nikola Tesla and the shadowy, hooded older gentleman—the same man we saw earlier in surreptitious consultation with Sebastien Malory, the previous Sir Perceval. Also making an appearance in the safehouse is the Indian queen, Lady Lakshmi. The recovery ordeal begins.

After nearly a fortnight, on December 2, Galahad finally makes a breakthrough to full consciousness. Lakshmi explains that the safehouse is on the Thames Embankment, north of the river. But the authorities are scouring the area, and it’s time to move on. She will accompany him back to Whitechapel, the headquarters and heart of the rebel resistance.

Nikola has left him his gear and Knight’s regalia…as well as a vial of stolen Blackwater.