The Great Spring Sickness

The Great Spring sickness meant that she was very likely to not be elsewhere in the realm. He had a better chance of finding her during the sickness than elsewhere because now she could just be in the north. So I think there are definite ways for that to happen. It would give a good lead. But think how many different towns there would be to have a puppet show and the odds of them lining up in the right place at the right time.