Noctisardor Bypass [raid] going deeper underground

With shepherding jaws Merrick herded the youngster toward her. Cruelly, he spoke- and Æsilfír understood with wicked pleasure why it was Merrick had been driving the child forward, and what he intended for her to do. Snarls she could hear, the gnashing of teeth; Arielle and Aventus were engaged. Merrick sprang forward- and Æsilfír was left to guard the child with the clear, blue eyes. 

She had her own little hostage, now. She intended to keep him clear of the fray; close enough at hand that his life could be bargained for, but the only way she;d manage to keep him secure would be if nobody intervened. 

"You- on the ground, now." She barked. "Yer gonna stay wit' me, an' yer gonna do h'exactly wot I tell ye, or I'll make you do it, got it?" She hissed, teeth bared. She loomed with a leer. She meant her threat to be earnest. If he chose to run, she'd run him down and make him regret it.