From David Mitchell:

Hi guys just wanted to ask a question about how you guys see and use the rivalry between house phiarlan specialising in intelligence with the investigators of house Medani and how they compete with the kings lanterns the zilargo trust, the aurum etc. I love the cold war espionage plot line with the heroes working the different factions or the factions playing them but was curious to know do you have the kings lanterns subcontracting intelligence gathering through phiarlan or the twelve seeking to crush the competition. Or lanterns working with medani operatives to defeat emerald claw interests only to have them change sides another time.

Scott offers a very thorough response.