Sparring the Coil

A coiled steel sentinel stood jutting from the baseboard beside the open door. A clear challenge to my passage! I surged forward without a second thought, bringing both fabric blades down in a synchronized overhead chop. Thwack! The spring bowed—then rebounded with a ferocious, ringing buzz. Boing-g-g-g! The wild shudder zipped straight up my stitched arms and flipped me flat onto my back. Stunned? Never! I rolled straight back onto my boots, blades crossed, grinning at the humming brass tip. An opponent with real kick!