In case you missed them, here is an excerpt taken from the Test patch notes:
*** Mercenaries ***
Many changes behind the scenes enable easier maintenance/updating of mercenary AI. The AI should behave the same as before. Let us know if there are any new incorrect behaviors.
Mercenaries can now be maintained with Bayle Marks (an alternate currency). These will eventually be available on the marketplace, but not with this patch. We may put an NPC in to distribute these for testing purposes at a later time.
Does this mean, well, not sure what it mean
I really hope this is setting up for an april fools joke =/
Taking from : http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/posts/list.m?topic_id=161297