Cassandra's got the ring -- at least, Cullen hopes Cassandra's got the ring, or whatever comes out of it -- which means his job is --

He can see the merchant reach for his belt, and what Cullen knows must be the little twist of powder hidden there. He'll have to move fast: there's some kind of metal object, primarily decorative, about the size of his fist, resting on the table.

Cullen snatches it up and hurls it at the merchant's opposing shoulder. The merchant twists away, attention diverted from his powder --

-- just long enough for Cullen to draw steel and back him up against the wall, blade to the man's throat.