The road from Bibracte's center to the temple was wide and clear and surrounded the complex on three sides, slightly south and east of town. The original Fanum was a square central building. Since the sacking of Bibracte, an entire complex had sprung up around the Fanum proper. Housing for Druids, apprentices, visiting guests, healers, and, of course, horses.

Roman influence was easy to see in the new construction. Stone walls were white-washed with plaster and met tiled, clay roofs. Vendors established lucrative businesses in the northern section. Bronze smiths, farriers, artisans, and others peddled their crafts.

The main gate faced northeast and opened onto the courtyard, the gathering place for the Aedui's holy days. The complex center, the sanctum, was pure Aedui. The Fanum's outer half-height walls were perched with wooden columns that reached up to the tiled roof. Altars to Gods sacred to the Aedui were erected around the Fanum's exterior walls. At these smaller altars, anyone could make offerings and sacrifices.

The inner sanctum of the Fanum was choked with torch smoke. The only light filtered into the central room was from the door leading out to the courtyard. Here, the mysteries were performed, the Gods were honored in the ancient rites passed down from our ancestors, some insisted from the Gods themselves.

The doors to the small, ancient temple are partially open after having been closed for many months. Who opened the doors, I do not know. I have not gone inside yet, even though the cella was once my second home.

I spend most of my time here, tending Her sacred roses, enjoying the quietude of the hill now that so many of my cousins have left for Augustunum.