@Cu Chulainn Well...there is a bear that suddenly rampaged and tried to attack the bandits, which is probably why the Captain succeeded against the suggestion, and failed against your shove. Do you want to push him 5 feet away, or do you want to knock him prone with your shove?
@Cu Chulainn Bernie only prepped an action. I would not say just holding the arm is a grapple. So there is a chance he'll let go of Callie if you shove him.
@ihinka As a result of Mirdas's Intimidation, Barney was in the middle of bringing Callie to Mirdas (as per the Palafin's command), before Bernie stopped him and put the sword to her throat. So both Barney and Bernie are holding her by an arm each.
EDIT: After Safira's Intimidation, Barney succeeded with an 11. So he has not backed away. Sorry, I misread earlier. DX