Help with 'Triumverate'

[jsgx3]

Ok, I'm stuck and can't figure it out. I'm on Mission 3 of the Acedemy 'Triumverate'. I can't beat the Rutger character. I've tried with Zehir and Oderic both. My Zehir does not have Phoenix. I have even tried on Easy and it makes no difference it seems. Rutgers army seems to have some kind of major boost that makes his creatures deal more and take less than normal against mine. Is there somehting I'm missing here?

JS