'The Mysterious Green Door.'
The next morning, at nine o'clock, I knocked on Albert's door and stepped inside. Albert was there, and sitting beside him was his brother Ernest.
"Good morning," I said, "good to see you both."
"Please take a seat, Peregrine," said Earnest.
I had learnt to tell the difference between the two by now. Earnest had a slight squint in his eyes that must have come from reading books in the dim candlelight of his youth. I didn't dare ask him how old he was, but he was positively ancient. I wondered whether to mention the anomalies concerning time travel to London, but Albert seemed to be reading my mind.
"No time for small talk, I'm afraid," he said. "We unexpectedly find ourselves on the tightest of schedules."
Ernest frowned at Albert and spoke to me directly.
As you have guessed, the Green Door is no ordinary portal. Not that any portal is 'ordinary', but The Green Door is unique in that it has an independent existence as a sentient entity and possesses great power. Now the problem comes in two parts. The Green Door has locked itself, and until it permits somebody to go through, there is no other access to the dimensions we need to enter. We have reason to believe that it will allow you to open it. That is the first part.
"The second part is a series of experiences that will put your character to the test. Only if you pass its scrutiny will the door allow you to lock the door from the inside and prevent the invasion of the free world. The world that interests us most is The World of Fiction. The people of this world first found life as characters in novels, but they are normal humans living independently in the outside world. All conscious beings in a multi-reality universe have the same status, regardless of origin, and once they have cast off the shackles of their character in the novel, they live as themselves, often having different personalities from their original creation. The Green Door is a control portal and can close off a world. This means that nobody can leave or enter, and in terms of interdimensional travel, once the world has closed off, the location is completely isolated."
"Why would anyone want to close access to a destination?" I asked.
"Departure as well," said Albert. "don't forget that."
"If I may be allowed to answer the question, Albert?" Earnest said, looking up at the ceiling.
"Of course, old boy, go ahead," said his brother. "I didn't mean to interrupt," and he settled deeper into his armchair.
"We close access if the world poses a risk to the stability of the Confederation of Free Worlds," said Earnest. The World of Fiction is home to some of the most famous names in literature. Now, a widely read young man like yourself will know that not all the people in books are virtuous. They include villains that you could not turn your back on for fear of getting a knife between your shoulder blades.
Earnest faltered a little as he saw Albert rising to his feet with his finger pressed to his lips, and he motioned for Earnest to continue as he tiptoed towards the door.
"All well and good," said Earnest hesitantly, "but then an enemy came among us."
Right on cue, Albert flung the door open and dragged a protesting Mr Cheap in by his ear.
"Caught in the act!" shouted Albert. "You sneak, you eavesdropper!"
Mr Cheap recovered himself a little.
"I must protest at such treatment; I was simply bringing you papers that required your signature. I was about to knock when you violently assaulted me."
"Nonsense," said Albert. "I have heard you shuffling and sniffing outside the door for the last two minutes. I thought it was mice at first, but I caught a rat. I have never trusted you, Cheap, since that night Earnest first took you into our home. We provided you with board and lodging free of charge and, when you grew up old enough, a decent job with the family firm. Now, this is how you repay us: by spying on the part of our enemies. You will get your things and clear them out of this house at once and never again return. You are lucky that we have business at hand that demands our immediate attention. Otherwise, I would deal with you more severely. Now begone this instant!"
But Cheap stood his ground with an insolent smile on his face.
"What say you, Earnest?"
The deliberate omission of the 'Mr' was as shocking as his refusal to leave. Earnest looked very worried and looked down at the floor.
"Lost our tongue, have we, old chap?" said Cheap.
"How dare you speak to my brother like that!" said Albert.
Earnest held up his hand.
"No, Albert, no, we may have been too hasty in our judgment. I remember now that I did ask him to come to your rooms when these important documents were ready to sign."
"Quite so, Mr Earnest; I was simply obeying your orders."
Cheap stooped down to pick up the papers that he had scattered on the floor during his unseemly entrance.
"I will leave these on your desk to sign, sir," he said to Earnest. "This was all an unfortunate misunderstanding, and if you will excuse me, gentlemen, I have further work that needs my attention."
With that, he walked out of the room.
"Earnest," said Albert in shock. "What have you done? The man was guilty of spying upon us."
"No time for explanations, Albert. We have more pressing needs, but I will speak to you later. We must fully brief Peregrine in the time remaining. I have my notes, and I will continue from where I left off.
"But then an enemy came among us, or more accurately, among them, the people of The World of Fiction, an army that took control in a military coup. The most dangerous characters from fantasy literature now rule the unfortunate population. These powerful and evil men have put aside their differences and joined together in one huge army. An alliance that includes all the armies of Mordor, the endless army led by Sauron, and the forces of Saruman the White, leader of the Astari wizards, who once challenged Sauron, with his army of half-Orc and half-Man fighters and Wargs. Those from other narratives who intend to join this evil alliance include Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters and the army of Jadis, which has in its ranks Black Dwarves, Giants, Ghouls, Wolves, and many other fearsome beasts from Narnia."
This was serious stuff, but I was more excited than scared.
"While the exit portal from The World of Fiction remains open, they remain a threat not only to their fellow worlds but to the Confederation of Free Worlds, and that includes us. The enemy does not know how to construct a portal; their only skill is killing, but they have kidnapped engineers from our competitors and forced them into their service. They are attempting to build another portal capable of crossing the fantastic dimension, and if they succeed, the consequences will be catastrophic.
"Still game, old boy?" said Albert quietly.
"More than ever," I replied, "but how did the Green Door come into your possession?"
"When one of our composite volcanoes erupted on a desert island some years ago, it sent hot ash and rocks high into the air. When one of the larger boulders hit the ground, it split open, and out spilt the Green Door, intact and unmarked. The sailors who discovered it on the beach did not know what it was and brought it home simply out of curiosity. It was only when one of our people, the savants, recognised it for what it was and removed it to a secret chamber in the place where we eventually built our shop. It has stood here ever since, and once set up, it proved impossible to move or open. On the front of the door is a wrought iron bar the length of a man's arm, but nobody can turn it. It is said that at one time on a midsummer night, you could hear music and dancing from the other side of the door. and the sound of tiny shoes with tinkling bells, such as elves might wear, moving in rhythm to fairy flutes and violins.
"A large group of forest folk serenaded the dancers with beautiful singing, clapping, and laughter—always laughter—and in such a high register that it pierced your heart like a dart. Then, one terrible time, the door shuddered and shook, and there was a sound like thunder—great rolling bursts of an interminable barrage that went on and on through the night. When the noise abated, the timbers of the door began to creak under the strain. It was as if the spirit of the door was weeping.
"Ever since then, the Green Door has remained silent. Over the years, nobody has succeeded in moving it even a fraction, and few are now interested in trying.
The door will only open for a bona fide traveller, such as yourself. Once you pass through the green door, your quest is to find the silver key that will unlock the other side of the door. Somewhere in the fictional dimension lies the silver key that fits the lock. We do not know where it is, only that it is well guarded, and the enemy is looking for it too.
"If you succeed and go through, you will not arrive directly at The World of Fiction, as I said, and you will visit other locations, possibly including alternative versions of Earth. There will be danger in these places, and you are vulnerable to injury or attack. If you were to die, it would be the end of your life, just as if it happened here. With the special assistance that only Albert and Aunty can provide, we will monitor your progress as best we can, and once you have completed your quest, we will try to assist in your return. Be aware that other people travel within the dimension, not only agents of the enemy, but be on your guard, and trust nobody.