To be fair, being outnumbered by Taselak almost 2 to 1, Ikalak's only chance to win is absorbing what's left of the Sandies.
That's a not a chance to win. That's not even delaying the inevitable. That's living in denial. Snapping up a couple rurals while Taselak snags a city, a rich townsland, and more rurals on top of that, is pointless. You cannot turtle on this island. Ikalak has pissed off Sandalak enough that most of Sandalak will probably join Taselak.
Ikalak's only chance to win
was to join with Sandalak and attack Taselak. Then it would be 2:1 against Taselak, allowing Ikalak to take some northern territories. Just like Ikalak took some southern territories when it joined in a 2:1 against Sandalak. Just like Sandalak couldn't hold off both Taselak and Ikkalak, Taselak couldn't have held off both Ikalak and Sandalak. That's the nature of a three-way war like this.
A few see-saws back and forth, snagging a region here and there, and Ikalak could have easily come back in strength. But it's too late now. Taselak has gained too much strength, and Sandalak is hurting.