THE GOLDEN COMPASS BY PHILIP PULLMAN, 2ND ROTATION

This week my job is Line Illuminator, I should copy 2 passages from book that I read.

1."The witches have talked about this child for centuries past," said the consul. "Because they live so close to the place where the veil between the worlds is thin, they hear immortal whispers from time to time, the voices of those beings who pass between the worlds. And they have spoken of a child such as this, who has a great destiny that can only be fulfilled elsewhere – not in this world, but far beyond. Without this child, we shall all die. So the witches say. But she must fulfill this destiny in ignorance of what she is doing, because only in her ignorance can we be saved." 

In this passage we can see that the witches have known about her for centuries.She may even be known about in other worlds. 

2. "Yes, here, man. And I shall need a screen and a projecting lantern, also here, also now," The Butler could hardly prevent himself from opening his mouth in surprise, but managed to suppress the question, or the protest. "Wren, you're forgetting your place," said Lard Asriel. "Don't question me; just do as I tell you."

From this passage we can tell from his treatment of the butler (and hos snow leopard daemon), Lord Asriel is an authoritative man that people listen to. He is powerful.