The Sixth String — Elisabeth Waters

The qin, or guqin, is an instrument filled with symbolism. It originally had five strings for the five elements: metal, water, fire, wood, and earth. Then two emperors, for different reasons, added one apiece, bringing the total to seven strings, each with its own symbolism. Which raises the question: does each string have its own use in magic?

This story originally appeared in the anthology LACE AND BLADE 2, edited by Deborah J. Ross.