"Aerys had Lord Rickard suspended from the rafters above a fire built by his pyromancers. Brandon had a tyroshi strangling device around his neck, and a sword was placed just out of his reach. The king promised Brandon that he'd free his father if he reached the blade. The whole court watched as Lord Stark was cooked alive in his armour, and his heir strangled himself, trying to reach for the sword. Then Aerys asked Jon Arryn to bring him the heads of Robert Baratheon and Rickard's second son Eddard. They were both fostering for years at the Vale, and Lord Arryn never managed to produce a living son at that time. He loved both boys as his own. Not to mention that they supped at his table and were protected by guest rights, and killing them under his roof would be an affront to the gods. Aerys had already killed the Arryn heir in King's Landing for no reason. When the Mad King asked for heads of his wards, Jon Arryn did the only thing any sane man would do. He called his banners in rebellion and sent his foster sons home. The North just had their darling daughter abducted, their Lord Paramount burned alive in a sham trial, and their heir made watch and strangle himself. The northerners were out for blood. The kidnapping of his intended and the call for his death was also the last insult Robert Baratheon would take, and House Baratheon had always been known for their explosive temper."