How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"But men cannot understand this. Nor will you for a while yet. We can travel through the years in other ways too—one of them was used this morning to bring you back through five centuries or so. That is where you were—in the time of the Royal Forests." (3.176)
Merriman is talking about time specifically here, but we might think this about Will's experience in general. He's not going to understand everything about being an Old One until he matures a bit more. Luckily for Merriman, we get to see Will do this over the course of the novel.
Quote #5
And there on the snow, the fallen arm of the tree burst into flame. Every inch of it, from the thick rotted base to the smallest twig, blazed with licking yellow fire. There was a hissing sound, and a tall shaft of brilliance rose from the fire like a pillar. No smoke came from the burning, and the flames were steady. (4.32)
What's one of the biggest signs that Will still has a long way to go in becoming a mature, responsible Old One? He plays with his magic for fun on the side of the road and almost gets himself—and the Walker—killed when the Dark shows up. Oops.
Quote #6
"They were in a bright room again, a room unlike anything Will had ever seen. The ceilings were high, painted with pictures of trees and woods and mountains; the walls were paneled in shiny gold wood, lit here and there by strange glowing white globes. And the room was full of music, their own carol taken up by many voices, in a gathering of people dressed like a brilliant scene from a history book." (6.1)
As Will starts to develop his powers, he learns to read between the lines. Before, he noticed the music but just kept on moving forward. Now, though, he thinks about the fact that the Old Ones are near and takes charge of the situation. Sure, he doesn't always react properly, but he's getting there at least.