Zhang Xi raises her hand before Freya can get up off the ground.
The motion is small, too polite to interrupt anyone, but the whole plaza pays attention.
"Why not four-on-four?" she asks. "An Oathring Team Match is a four-on-four fight."
I look at Zhang Xi for a moment.
Of course she knows the rules.
Before she started walking at my side like a monk too calm for Thirstfall, Zhang Xi spent enough time in the Oathring, healing people broken for money, to understand how it all works.
"Exactly," I say. "But look. In a four-on-four, someone a little slower can get carried by the team. Or drag everyone down without anyone noticing where the weight came from."
Zhang Xi understands before the others.
"Three-on-three trains are more dynamic," she says. "And they show each person's role in the team better."
"Bingo."
Veric lets out a short breath through his nose. He doesn't look offended. He likes systems when he understands the logic behind them.
