In the year 644

Domalade stood at the bow of his ship, a feeling of great pride filled his heart. After a long journey across wide seas he could see new land ahead. Better yet Ingram the the most farsighted of his crew claimed to see boats hugging the coast. Domalade the Helmsman of the Gyda was proud to know the under his rule the Gyda's ken of the world and its people was growing.

Domalade sailed on and the foreign ships soon indicated that they had spotted him. They're clumsy vessels had trouble handling in the choppy seas, however they indicated for Domalade to follow and so he did. On reaching calmer waters one of the vessels approached Domalades ship and a party indicated they wished to come aboard. There the hand of friendship was offered and Domalade spoke at lenght with them. Domalade learned that these people had a town on the far side of the island. If he wished he would be led there to discuss trade and alliance with the local leader.

Domalade was led by the foreigners towards the town. To the Gyda the progress seemed painfully slow. Indeed observing the foreign crews indicated that they were traveling at this slow pace delibrately. This aroused concern, however a message was received indicating that a celebration of greeting was in prepartation and the Gyda accepted this explanation.

Eventually the town came into view and indeed a celebration seemed in the offing. A large welcome party was at the docks and beside them were 10 large mounds covered with garlands and flowers. Ships and boats bedecked with ribbands lined the approach to the dock. Domalade gave his final appraoch orders and moved towards the centre of the ship.

As the docks neared the wind rose in a sudden swirl about the ship, it ruffled the sails and then settled blowing directly away from the shore. Domalade casually noticed that only his craft seemed effected by the strange breeze. This unusual event cuased him to glance around, he noticed an axe lying in the shade of the hull briefly gleam with a bright light. 'How can metal lying in shadow catch the sunlight' he thought. Looking up at the tense recption party on the dock he suddenly comprehended the Omens from this Gods.

'Ware' he cried to his crew as the ran for the tiler to direct the ship away from the treacherous greeting. On the dock the reception committee cursed, drew swords and pulled the coverings from the mounds to reveal ten large missile weapons. The discard flowers were crushed underfoot as crews hurridly aimed the weapons. The boats the had lined the appoach to the dock now moved to cordon off the Gyda's escape route.

Domalade heard the foreigns calling for his surrender, but knew that was not an acceptable option. He ran the ship for the cordon desperately tacking to avoid the shots coming from the dock. As he tried to assess the weakest spot of the cordon through which to break out, he saw a missile crash onto the deck crushing Ingram into a bloody plup. In rage Domalade cried out as the guide his vessel to smash through a weak point point in the cordon. The Gyda crew hacked down those who in folly tried to board their vessel. Once into open water and out of range of the docks the Gyda paused to count their dead and dared their new enemies to face them on open water. Seeing no pursuit they headed for home. Domalade now knew he would not be remebered as just as an explorer, but as the Helmsman under who the Gyda encounter their first foes.