I'm re-reading the book (I re-read a lot of book and do it often --- which probably offsets not paying too much attention to details).
And then it dawned on me:
This book i as love-letter from Strength and Patience to Eolo. Well maybe not love-love, but they are totally into him.
First chapter is a a little bit melancholic re-tracing of Eolo's first step through town. And after that there is a mention that "Northern gods" like trans (queer?) people.