So here I am, with a Knight, Ninja, Master and Red Wizard, all at level 23, on the bridge in the sky Castle on my way to take on Tiamat.
I was a higher level than you when I reached Melmond. I was like level 45 or something when I reached Tiamat.
Were you playing the Dawn of Souls or Origins version on Easy mode? Leveling past 40 for anything takes just about forever, and is completely unnecessary...otherwise, in the case of Dawn of Souls, the level standards have changed.
Dawn of Souls. On an emulator. With a speed-up button.
I'm doing exactly the same thing. I'm level 21 for all chars, and I'm just going back to Elfland.