He nodded and reached out for one of the phoenixes, coaxing it with some silver which it ate before hopping onto his arm. He raised the bird to place it on his head, where it scrabbled in his hair.

"Kei Ou, Kei Taiho. It is me Taiki. Takasato Kaname was the name I bore as a Taika." That would be enough hopefully, for them to know it was him. Not many people knew that. "I don't know what news you know of Tai but... I was taken from this world again, it's complicated but I am alive. My body is unconscious, being kept deep in the palace. Tai Ou... Lord Gyousou has been killed." His voice dropped but he kept talking, swallowing his pain. "I hope to break the curse of my unconsciousness soon and will go forth to seek the new king of Tai. I know that you are limited in what you can do and you have already given us much help but I am afraid I may need to ask for more when I return."