Ahira's Hangar

Ok, so I just got Soldier of Arete today and so far I've read the first 4 chapters which have been very interesting. So many things are racing through my head I figured I'd post some questions I've been thinking of so far. I don't really want answers (at least not yet) but I figured it might be interesting for anyone else to see what I'm thinking about or maybe other people will realize things from my questions that they didn't notice earlier.

Who did Hypereides buy the scarlet cloak for?
What's up with Hegesistratus? He just kind of weirds me out.
Hegesistratus tells Latro that a guy named Tisamenus put a charm on Latro and says that he will remove it. Why does the name Tisamenus sound so familiar and what did he do? I wish I had the glossary from Soldier of the Mist still on me... (I returned the book to the library already)

Oh and if someone could refresh my memory on who Mardonius was that would really help. Thanks.