The Darklyns refused to pay more taxes to the crown, and since Aerys wished to distance himself from his Hand, Lord Tywin, he decided to deal with the problem himself.
Aerys went to Duskendale with only one Kingsguard knight and a small force of men, to arrest and execute Lord Denys. Instead he was imprisoned.[1] During the capture, Ser
Symon Hollard slew Ser
Gwayne Gaunt of the
Kingsguard.
[2]
Lord Denys continued his defiance, even as a large host sat outside his walls, commanded by
Tywin Lannister.
Tywin's ability to act had been paralyzed when Lord Denys sent word that at the first sign that Tywin intended to storm the town, Lord Denys would kill the King.
[2]
The Defiance ended when Ser Barristan Selmy sneaked into the Dun Fort, the seat of House Darklyn, and rescued his King. Many songs would later be made about Selmy's daring infiltration.
Selmy disguised as a hooded beggar climbed the walls of Duskendale in the dead of night, walking through the town streets. Cloaked and hooded he approached the Walls of Dunfort, scaling the walls of the castle, and slaying a sentry before the man could raise the alarm. Selmy through stealth and courage found his way to the dungeons and freed Aerys and led him to the upper levels. During the escape attempt,
Barristan slew two guards and Ser Symon Hollard, avenging the death of his sworn brother, Ser Gwayne Gaunt. He and the King rushed to the Stables, Selmy slaying all those who tried to intervene as the alarm was being raised.
Selmy and his king mounted on stolen horses charged out the Dunfort gates before they could be barred and raced through the streets of Duskendale to the towns walls eventually escaping.[3]
Lord Denys, no longer having a hostage, immediately opened his gates and begged for mercy. He was beheaded, along with the rest of his family. Not one Darklyn remained alive. The same was the case for
House Hollard, who had sided with
House Darklyn during the defiance, with the exception of
Dontos Hollard who was a child at the time.
Ser Barristan asked that his life to be spared, King Aerys could not refuse the man who had saved his life, and granted this boon.
[2]