#reedshine

Reedshine is the ancient, ancient deputy of RiverClan when Splashpaw is apprenticed to her. This was the early Code era, and Clan customs of succession looked quite different. Reedshine served as deputy for both Floatstar and Emberstar, as deputies did not succeed leaders, instead staying in the position until they were demoted, died, or retired. The leader would also name a successor, who was usually their direct kin and would take the position of leader after they died. (Emberstar's first successor was his daughter Cloudberry, and then the title was passed to Darkpelt, Cloudberry's daughter)

The rank of elder did not exist either. Reedshine would definitely be an elder if it did. So how was the rank created? Well...

Not long after Splashheart is made a warrior, the first fight breaks out at Sunningrocks. Storms had devastated the forest all season, the flooding taking Emberstar's final life and changing the course of the river. ThunderClan now lays claim to Sunningrocks, and Darkstar orders her warriors to defend it. Reedshine's brittle body can barely make the short journey to Sunningrocks, let alone climb them to fight. Sensing the deputy's weakness, Splashheart tries to block his former mentor from fighting, but Darkstar admonishes him for being a coward and a traitor. Reedshine heaves herself into battle, using what little strength she has left. She is slain by a ThunderClan warrior, slashed across the throat right in front of her former apprentice.

Clouds gather, and the battling cats are stopped in their tracks by a great rumbling. Lightning splits the sky, striking Darkstar where she stands. A glimmering apparition appears over her body; the sleek, well-fed form of a RiverClan cat, her dark gray pelt dappled with starlight.

"I am Aspentail," the spirit spoke. "I was the first cat in the Clans to be named for my rank. I fought to defend my clan before even Reedshine's elders were suckling at their mothers' bellies. A cat so old and frail should have been basking on these rocks, not spilling out her lifeblood. So we have ranks to protect our young, we shall have ranks to protect our old as well."