Might want more scouting. I reccomend double horseman. It worked for me.
The cavalry>Then caeda for SM.
Train merric as mage, if you want def, go pally. (Mages have better magic, which is all you are looking for with the mage class)
The problem with Est is that her hp is atrocious. She will need at least 3 HP robes. Other than that, she is fine. She would be best as SM for the lower def cap. (palla is best as sniper for speed)