They could try to go around the meeting point, avoid the other banners entirely. But the Abyssal land's geography was treacherous, and the other banners would likely have scouts watching for exactly that kind of maneuver.
They could fight.
Charge in with weapons drawn, try to cut their way through to whatever passage led toward the core.
But even at full strength, the Stronghide masters couldn't defeat three combined banners. In their current condition, weakened and wounded, they'd be slaughtered.
Not to talk of the banner lords themselves.
Or...
"We could walk into the trap," Karathra said slowly.
Every head turned toward her.
"Deliberately," she continued slowly. "We know what they're planning. They don't know we know. That's an advantage."
"An advantage?" Ashclaw's voice was incredulous. "They outnumber us five to one, at least. How is walking into their trap an advantage?"
