Queen of Bleakgrave Slope

Willow Shaw, with her mute older brother and younger brother, is driven by her aunt onto the barren Bleakgrave Slope to starve. Beneath, an underground river and black soil allow rice to grow. Her younger brother becomes Top Scorer, her mute older brother proves strength, and Willow is bestowed 'Grain King'. Enemies beg, merchants retreat. From exiled orphans to masters of grain, they declare—'We have protected this land.'