With a couple of unexpected RL issues from my end and Tobias needing to step out, this thread has run a bit longer than I anticipated. As such, I'm going to go ahead and push things forward a little bit.
The merchant considers for a moment, long fingers stroking his chin as he does. "A string, hmm? Well, I can't say that I have a particular need for strings. On the other hand, anything that comes from one of you has a certain appeal - a value. I don't suppose we are fortunate enough that your strings are made out of gut? So few people have a proper appreciation for authenticity anymore."
The merchant gives a fluid shrug. "It doesn't matter. I accept your offer." He gestures to Tobias. "Come with me. This will be quick and then I shall give you what information I have concerning your previous inquiry."
Tobias gives a somewhat wan look to his companions before nodding and following the butcher through the canvas flap and into the back of the tent. After a few minutes there is a very loud, thrumming "twang" followed immediately by a grunt of discomfort. A short time after that Tobias emerges from the back holding his arm gingerly, followed by the hob merchant.
"Now then," the merchant says as he calmly winds a wire around his hand into a series of small loops. "This is what I can tell you. There was another that passed through here a little while ago with similar questions. One of your folk, from the other side. He had a sack full of stones that used to be bones. Wanted to sell them, but I told him the same as I told you - we don't generally deal in flesh that's gone bad. I offered to purchase the entire lot regardless, but he refused. Honestly, my offer was quite generous considering that the skeleton wasn't even complete." The merchant pauses with a sly smile and a gleam in his eye. "It was a full 28 bones short. The whole set would have been worth investing in I think."
"Now then, I think you might have an interest in finding this person, so I have another deal for you." The merchant finishes wrapping the string around his hand and slips it off of his thing fingers. He deftly slips the end around the loops a couple times so that it sits in a neat circle without damaging the fibers. He sets the loop down and picks up a shard of dirty glass from a shelf behind the counter. "The fellow became rather upset when I refused his exorbitant price and he broke one of my display cases. This shard is from the glass on that case, and still has his blood upon it." He gestures to the shrunken heads hanging in the corner. "The goblin there with the torn ear has a perfect memory in that little head. He got a good solid look at the fiend. You promise to bring me back what he owes me for the cabinet, and I'll give you the shard and the goblin. Bring me back my payment and you can keep the goblin as a bonus."