Arya waited patiently for Lyn to give and explanation but the woman was silent, stupidly silent, and for the first time Arya realized that the silence might just be an act.
"Well, say something! I know you're not as daft as you pretend to be. What are you not telling me, Lyn?" Arya demanded.
"If I tell you, you must promise me not to cast Tari out. I will leave your service if I must but Tari will not be safe on the streets." Lynesse said worriedly.
"I'm not sending Tari away. She hasn't done anything wrong. But you haven't explained what you've done at all. Tell me, and perhaps you won't be going anywhere either." Arya said the words with more kindness than she felt.
"My full name is Lynesse. I was of House Hightower, the wife of Ser Jorah Mormont. For many years I lived with Tregar Ormollen. He was kind enough at first but he did not know that Tari was not his child… She belongs to Ser Jorah. Tregar has many daughters by many concubines and most of them he sells for their dowry to whoever will pay the most… Tari could have a better life in Westeros as a highborn maiden, the heir to Bear Island, but Tregar would hear none of it…because Bear Island would be Tari's and not his... he wanted her betrothed to a very rich but cruel man in Quarth…. so I ran away and he continues looking for us…. I am sorry my lady and Ser Jaime for all the trouble I have caused… I truly did not mean for it to come to this…" Lynesse finished.
Arya was taken aback by what Lyn had said.
"Why not just send a message to Ser Jorah and tell him to come get his daughter?" Jaime asked.
"I did." Lynesse told them. "I think he must not have received it or did not believe it. He never sent a reply and that was nearly five months ago."
"We'll send another message." Arya said. "And in the future, if someone wants to break into my home and abduct or kill people in it, you will not keep it a secret."
"Of course not. Lady Arya." Lynesse said.
Arya's eyes widened. "How long have you known?"
"Long enough. It seems we both have been keeping secrets."
Ayra sighed. "You're right. I won't hold it against you if you won't hold it against me."
Lynesse nodded. That had gone more smoothly than expected.