Finally, some action in Ubas Nīng! In the closing weeks of our 8th year, the minotaur Omli Lasodrane (Routedknights) appeared.
I told my militia of 5 to gather inside the fortress entrance, but the first speardwarf to show up decided to stand outside instead and then charge towards the enemy.
The minotaur got the first attack and happened to snap his wrist, causing him to drop the spear. Omli gored him in the head to finish him off, and then started beating on a random civilian who wandered by. The civilian lasted longer than the legendary speardwarf, absorbing spinal injuries and numerous broken bones.
Only one other militia guy turned up (Porksword, the legendary swordsdwarf), and I got tired of waiting for the rest so I sent him outside to attack alone. He ran up behind Omli and slashed his foot off, and then broke bones in each of his other limbs as the minotaur crawled away. He even used his old training sword to knock a tooth out, from behind.
Omli, now known as Omli Lasodrane Koziacal (the Wild Top), was then struck down with a slash to the head. And at the same time the injured civilian suffocated.
So... first battle, 3 deaths (including the minotaur). Not as epic as it could have been, but after 8 years of nothing it was certainly a welcome change. And now I have something to engrave other than dwarves being surrounded by dwarves!
Edit: Yes! I've finally found those deep metals promised before embark! Galena! Lots and lots of galena.