Playin impossible mage, might need help

[megajon]

Kinda hittin a dead end in dwarf land right now... supposed to free the castle to get the treaty signed... but I get my ass kicked in that fight.

Fastest unit I have is dwarven cannon, and nearly every demon goes before them. I wish I had enough might runes to get the +initiative talents but I am still a lil ways off from that.

My current army is-
Griffin around 78
Evil Beholder 39
Cannoneer 32
Archmage 39
Orc Shaman 39

27 int, 99 mana
higher magic I
Chaos III
Distortion III

I have no problem taking controll against armies I win initiative on, but these guys all through the field into total chaos before I get a move.

Just wonderin if there is some initiative 7+ guys I am missing to this point.. What about those lake spirits you get at the start of the game? Should I garrison my army and stock up on them through defeats? I have the ring that gives females +3 initiative/everything else... does it work on them?