How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"The Walker is abroad," he said again. "And this night will be bad, and tomorrow will be beyond imagining." (1.47)
Huh? When Farmer Dawson says this to Will, Will's not even sure what it means, and neither are we. And so the seed is planted that Dawson and the other Old Ones know what will happen next. Check out what Dawson says about tomorrow; it's as if it's already taken place.
Quote #2
"It is your quest to find and to guard the six great Signs of the Light, made over the centuries by the Old Ones, to be joined in power only when the circle is complete. The first Sign hangs on your belt already, but to find the rest will not be easy. You are the Sign-Seeker, Will Stanton. That is your destiny, your first quest." (3.59)
This is Will's destiny, which is the same as fate. We get the sense that Will doesn't have a choice here—he's the Sign-Seeker and that's all there is to it. Since the Old Ones know the future, we're inclined to believe them when they say that this is someone's fate.
Quote #3
"When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back, Three from the circle, three from the track; Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone; Five will return, and one go alone." (3.61)
Again we're told the future. Notice the words "shall"and "will," both of which suggest that nothing can stop this from happening. The Old Ones are going to turn back the Dark… On second thought, this kind of feels like a major spoiler. We have ten chapters left to read, but we've just been told how things will end (at least generally).