Auluudh is also free, as in no upkeep. My main problem was indeed, putting the dude in the front.
And still, this is rather close:
Also, There are always the possible suprise attack chances. Having a a random event attack your expansion party might just do enough damage to the trolls to let them or a the normal indies to hit and mute your free mage. And as mages win games this is a way to risky move. (And all for what? 2 additional attacks and a little bit of fear? Your troops where probably enough to kill them).
Sure you might not loose something irreplacable if he dies. But you should put him in more trouble than needed. Having his paths halved might cause you do do less research later, or not find that one s3/w3 site. It is simply a stupid risk to take.