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).
Quote #4
"He betrayed the Old Ones once, long ago, and this was his doom." His voice softened a little. "It has been a hard age for him, the carrying of the second Sign. He has one more part in our work, before he may have rest, if he chooses. But that is not yet." (4.95)
Merriman explains what's happening with the Walker to Will. The guy's really grumpy because of a bad decision he made a while ago, which makes us think twice about our fate theory. Since the Walker is able to make choices, everything can't be predetermined.
Quote #5
"You seem to know what's happening. Tell me something. Here I am brought into the past, a century that's already happened, that's part of the history books. But what happens if I do something to alter it? I might, I could. Any little thing. I'd be making something in history different, just as if I'd really been there." (6.53)
Here Will is questioning how he can change fate. He knows that he can radically change the future by making a small tweak to the past, and he's tempted to do it, too. So do the Old Ones just know the future because they can time travel, or is it because they can alter the events of history?
Quote #6
"And as a result, in this room in the next few minutes, Hawkin will betray me and betray the Light and mould the whole course of your quest, young Will. The shock just now of actually risking his life, for me and the Book of Gramarye, was too much for his loyalty." Merriman pointed across the room. "See where it begins." (7.74)
Before Hawkin's betrayal, Merriman tells Will what happens. Check out how he describes it: "Hawkin will betray me." Importantly, not only does he know what will happen, he doesn't even try to stop it. Hawkin might have a choice initially, but as far as Merriman's concerned, these events are already written in stone.
Quote #7
"Hawkin," Merriman said again, gently, "every man has a last choice after the first, a chance of forgiveness. It is not too late. Turn. Come to the Light." (10.2)
Finally we're told about the choices that people get to make in their own lives. Merriman tells the Walker that he can still turn away from the Dark and join the Light. It's a sad moment for Merriman, who clearly cares about the Walker, because it's a decision that only Hawkin can make. Merriman can't change fate or make the choice for him.
Quote #8
"This is a meeting for the only bargain that my lord the Rider will make. Your sister for the Signs. You scarcely have much choice. You people are good at risking the lives of others"— the bitter old mouth curved up in a sneer—" but I do not think Will Stanton would enjoy watching his sister die." (11.99)
Will does have a choice when it comes to trading the Sign for his sister's life; it's just not a choice with a lot of good options. We get to see free will in action here as Will manages to save his sister and keep the Sign. Boo ya.
Quote #9
"I gave you the freedom to choose, Hawkin, and I did not take it away. I may not. It is still yours. No power of the Dark or of the Light can make a man more than a man, once any supernatural role he may have had to play comes to an end. But no power of the Dark or the Light may take away his rights as a man, either. If the Black Rider told you so, he lied." (12.89)
Merriman insists that Hawkin made a choice all on his own, saying that no one is stripped of free will. Sure, the Old Ones know the future, but they don't take away people's choices. Ever. They are the good guys, after all.
Quote #10
"But it's for the future, Will, don't you see? That is what the Signs are for. They are the second of the four Things of Power, that have slept these many centuries, and they are a great part of our strength. Each of the Things of Power was made at a different point in Time by a different craftsman of the Light, to await the day when it would be needed." (13.51)
In the end, the Lady tells Will that the Signs will help them defeat the Dark again. Even though we've just been told that everyone has free will, we can't help but notice that what she's saying is only possible if fate rules the universe. So which is it? Over to you, Shmoopers.