I went from 5 to 4 mercenaries I am just now noticing due to someone in guild asking if anyone else lost a mercenary. Many others in guild chat commented that they did as well. Maybe the free slot we got from CotF got wiped out in last patch? /sigh
Seems I have 5 again now, but 5th one is empty. Thought I had a 5th one there but cannot remember. Least the slot is working again.