Need some help against dragons

[Brakiri]

Hi,

i've reached a point where my strategy, to use only archer units is beginning to fail me.

I'm a mage, Lvl 14, and i'm in Kardor. In the mines there are some enemies with dragons in it.

Because of their stupid ini of 7, there are always first, and i lose a lot of units just in the first round.

My army: beholders, evil beholders, cyclops, archmages and cannoneers.

My leadership score is 8260.

Can anyone tell me, how to proceed against dragons and demon armies, without losing so much units?

Until now i was able to win any battle with no or minimal casualties(0-5 units).

And one more question: I have cannoneers in my army. But every time, the enemy (without heroes) also has cannoneers, they can act first. Why? That seems rather unfair. I would ad least expect a random decision who is first.

Thanks!