( moiraine may have been adept at climbing that tree, at finding places for her feet and pulling herself up with ease despite the shortness of her height, though he's right to have pause now. she wouldn't be able to jump to the next tree, that she never practiced, that she wouldn't try now. she'd sooner face what was below them )

Distractions may be simple. Creatures often fear certain weathers or dangers.

( she's not saying to kill them just mildly threaten them )

If not make something else more appealing.