well the Gallows are actually in the city instead of like Kinloch where it's fairly far from any of the houses of the teyrnirs or arlings, let alone Denerim itself. Kirkwall is just one city state, not a country, so there's not as much ground to cover. It's likely mostly geographical.

[Though part of it, as Hawke gathered from their travel to other Circles after Kirkwall's had fallen, was the Ferelden attitude. There's something of a feeling along the lines of 'out of sight, out of mind' in the south. Ostwick's circle seemed more lenient, while Hasmal and Ansburg were so insular that some of them weren't even aware of what happened in Kirkwall at all.]

But... yes, he was lucky.

[Hawke pauses a moment to put some glasses away and get a small shot for himself. That sake stuff Crowley had showed him. He needs something smooth but fortifying right now.

It also occurs to him that while he knows Anders was escaped out of the Tower during the Fifth Blight he doesn't actually know what exactly the other mage was doing during that time.]

You weren't there though, I gather by how you said that. Where were you then?