The bear king shook his massive head. "No. Could be celebration. A wedding. A ritual. Or something worse."
He leaned closer. "But when humans move like this, it is rarely meaningless."
Lin Mu nodded slowly, committing the warning to memory.
The bear king reached behind his throne and produced a small horn, carved from dark bone and etched with simple runes. He placed it into Lin Mu's hands.
"If you need aid," he said, "blow this."
Lin Mu examined it. "Your people will hear it?"
"Our people are everywhere," the bear king replied. "Scattered among human lands. Traders. Mercenaries. Watchers. They will come."
"And if that is not enough," he added, eyes glinting, "I will come."
Lin Mu felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the mead. He bowed deeply. "Thank you. I will not forget this."
The bear king grinned, sharp teeth flashing. "Good. Kin remembers kin."
