Percy doesn't follow, though he lingers near enough to hear what the king says. It's a good speech-- yes, it is, it's the sort of thing he'd wish to say, hope he'd have the wit and smoothness of tongue to say, were he ever given men to lead in such a charge.

Well. That will never happen, now. But at least he's here to follow.

The boy brings the horse just as the men send up a cheer, and Percy thanks him with a nod.