A method for execution by a node in a database system includes determining to send a data block from a node to a destination node of a database system in accordance with execution of a query. An initial route to the destination node that includes a predefined number of relay nodes in a sequential relay ordering is determined. The second relay node in the sequential relay ordering is identified, and a set of intermediate node options that are each capable of receiving data from the node via a direct connection and capable of sending data to the second relay node via a direct connection is identified. One intermediate node is selected from the set of intermediate node options, and the data block is transmitted from the node to the one intermediate node to facilitate sending of the data to the destination node via exactly the predefined number of relay nodes.