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The Parchment That Waited – A Novella
£1.99
A reluctant mage. A cursed parchment. A long-suffering scribe. In a tower where scrolls glare and beds explode, one man’s attempt to document magic becomes an epic—and hilarious—battle of will, wisdom, and wine. With echoes of Pratchett and Gaiman, this standalone fantasy novella from M.J. Kaye blends deep magical philosophy with dry wit and emotional…
Description
“The Parchment That Waited”
What begins as a simple task for a stubborn old mage becomes the spark that ignites a forgotten soul.
In a tower wrapped in books, flame, and secrets, the eccentric Master Tarian finds himself burdened by an unfinished tome—until a shy, stammering scribe named Aediel arrives. But what starts as a transcription becomes a revelation. As the lore of Elemental, Internal, and Divine magic unfolds, so too does Aediel’s long-buried potential.
With wine-fueled lessons, midnight revelations, and the arrival of a mysterious boy aglow with otherworldly power, The Parchment That Waited becomes a tale not just of magic—but of awakening.
Heartfelt, humorous, and steeped in wonder, this novella weaves laughter, lore, and luminous prose into a coming-of-magic unlike any other.
Somantha –
“The Parchment That Waited by MJ Kaye”
A novella from the world of Illyndor, by the author of the acclaimed Chronicles of the Aethlum.
What begins as a seemingly simple scribal assignment quickly spirals into an unexpectedly hilarious, deeply heartfelt, and magically rich journey in The Parchment That Waited. Set within the mythic world of Illyndor, this standalone novella offers both newcomers and fans of the Aethlum Saga a rare treat: a tale that blends dry wit with divine awe, ink-stained mishaps with elemental truth.
We follow Tarian the Mage—irritable, brilliant, and utterly unprepared for the chaos that follows—when a humble scribe named Aediel stumbles into his tower, and unknowingly, into magic itself. Over the course of three riotously charming days, the pair clash, bond, and unearth a magical manuscript that refuses to be written without a fight. Literally.
From haunted parchment and prophetic children to divine magic, soul-sparks, and accidental explosions (of both bookcases and egos), The Parchment That Waited is as much a story of becoming as it is a comedy of magical errors.
If you’ve ever wanted to laugh, reflect, and feel wonder all in the same chapter—this novella delivers. It’s sharp, self-aware, and deeply moving in all the right places. And while it stands alone, it’s also a beautiful, intimate entry point into the wider saga of Illyndor.
Perfect for fans of Pratchett, Sanderson, or anyone who’s ever tried to write a sentence while a magical book tried to strangle them.
Elara Wren –
“I laughed until I cried! Tarian is an absolute force—grumpy, genius, and completely undone by a piece of parchment that refuses to behave. But when he finally starts putting words to ‘The Fundamentals of Magic Lore’, I sat in awe. The prose is stunning, the lore profound, and the emotional payoff completely unexpected. If you want a short, heartfelt romp that will leave you both grinning and moved—this is your story. It’s brilliant.”
Elira Wynn –
“A sharp, witty, and unexpectedly heartfelt gem, The Parchment That Waited is a love letter to storytelling itself. MJ Kaye invites us into the cluttered brilliance of Tarian the Mage’s tower, where dry humour meets profound magical philosophy. But beneath the banter and enchanted disasters lies something deeper — a quiet meditation on fear, creativity, and the courage to begin again.
Kaye’s pacing is impeccable, balancing explosive magic (literally) with introspective tenderness, especially in the growing relationship between Tarian and the scribe, Aediel. Their exchanges are laugh-out-loud funny, yet rich with emotional texture.
This standalone novella doesn’t just expand the world of Illyndor — it deepens it. A must-read for fans of The Aethlum Saga, or anyone who’s ever stared at a blank page and felt it stare back.”
Thom Vale –
“As someone who has spent more hours than I care to admit staring at a blinking cursor and a half-filled notebook, The Parchment That Waited hit me like a spell I didn’t know I needed. It’s hilarious — I mean genuinely laugh-out-loud, fall-off-your-chair hilarious — like someone let Rincewind wander into a university staff meeting and no one noticed until the tower exploded.
But what makes MJ Kaye’s story linger isn’t just the dry wit or the perfectly timed chaos. It’s the strange, beautiful ache of it — that quiet understanding of what it feels like to want to create something meaningful… and to fear you can’t. Tarian isn’t just a mage. He’s every writer wrestling with self-doubt, and Aediel? He’s the reminder that someone is always listening, even if it’s just the blank page.
This isn’t just a short story. It’s a mirror. And a bloody funny one at that.”
Lukas Henrich –
“My sister Jenna she print the story for her reading group, and she was reading on the sofa — first she was laugh, very loud, then later she cry. I think, what is this? A small book? She say, ‘Just read it, it’s mad.’ I was not going to, but I read it after her. And I tell you, I howl. Really, I am loud with laugh. My dog leave the room.
This mage, Tarian, he is like very old man who shout at clouds but also like someone in my family who love books and is bad at feelings. The boy Aediel, I like him. He is soft heart but become brave. And then the dream part — oof, I get the goosebumps.
It was very funny but also serious. Like life. I never read fantasy book before, but now maybe I do. Thank you, MJ.”
Rating: ★★★★★
MJ Kaye –
Dear Lukas,
Thank you — truly — for your wonderful message. I laughed, I beamed, and I even read your review aloud to my wife, who immediately said, “You’re going to make him a character, aren’t you?” (She knows me too well.)
Your words, though not polished like an academic scroll, had more heart and joy than most essays I’ve read in fluent English. That image of your dog leaving the room because you were laughing too loudly? That’s going straight into my notes — and possibly into Tarian’s tower.
And please do thank Jenna for being the spark behind it all. A sister like that is worth ten bookshelves.
If ever you read more of the saga, know this: a certain tower door is always open to readers like you. And should a cheerful, slightly baffled character with a German accent appear in future chapters… well, let’s just say you’ll know where the quill found its inspiration.
With warmest thanks from Illyndor,
MJ Kaye
(aka the one who also laughs too loud and forgets where he put his tea)
Callum Rhodes –
“Honestly? I bought this because of the cover. Looked like the sort of thing I’d keep on a shelf just to look clever — parchment, magic, moody old wizard on the front. Thought, yeah, why not?
Then I actually read it. Or tried to — because halfway through page four, I could hear my wife in the next room. Laughing. Not a chuckle — a proper full cackle. I asked what she was reading and she just waved the printout at me and said, ‘He’s arguing with a piece of paper.’
I finished it in one sitting. And now I get it. Tarian is hilarious and somehow still heartbreaking. Aediel snuck up on me too — I didn’t think I’d care that much about the boy, but now I want to know what happens to him next.
I’m definitely getting Eternal Ember now. If this is what MJ Kaye does with a short story, I need to see what he does when he’s let off the leash.”
MJ Kaye –
Dear Callum,
You, my friend, were one of the first. I mean that — The Parchment That Waited went live, and within hours your name was among the very first etched into the record. I don’t know if it was the moody mage on the back cover or the call of curiosity, but I’m honoured you took a chance on it.
The fact that your wife was already laughing in the next room while you read it? That image alone made my day. It’s surreal — I spent months writing in silence, wondering if anyone would even notice this little novella, and suddenly it’s out there, being read, laughed at, and (to my shock and joy) even shared between rooms.
Thank you not just for reading it, but for saying you’ll follow me into Eternal Ember. That means everything. I promise — if Tarian made you laugh, Eldryn’s journey will hit a very different, but just as powerful, chord.
Stay curious. Stay magical. And never trust a piece of parchment that stares back.
Warm regards,
MJ Kaye
(Still a bit stunned, still scribbling)
Tamsin Penrose –
“I wasn’t going to leave a review, but I’m sat here with sea air in my hair, cheeks sore from grinning, and a mug of tea I forgot to drink because I couldn’t put the bloody thing down.
The Parchment That Waited made me laugh like I did reading Pratchett under the covers when I was fifteen — but there’s something gentler under it, too. Tarian’s a mess, but a loveable one, and Aediel? Oh, I saw far too much of myself in that boy. Quiet. Bookish. Forgotten, maybe — until someone sees him.
It’s not just funny, it’s true. And that’s the bit that’s sticking with me. Like sea salt in the skin.
This was my first step into Aethlum, but if the rest of the books feel anything like this, I’m staying for the whole tide.”
MJ Kaye –
Dear Tamsin,
From the tone of your review — the sea air, the forgotten tea, and the grin in your words — I’d wager you live somewhere with salt in the wind and stories in the stones. It’s lovely to know that Tarian managed to reach that far. He’s usually too busy grumbling into his sleeve or arguing with Brother Aric over the metaphysical nature of bread crusts to travel much these days.
But truly, thank you. Knowing that Aediel resonated with you — that quiet kind of seeing — means more than I can say. He carries something personal, and hearing he stirred a little recognition makes this mad, magical experiment feel worth it.
Oh — and your line about sea salt in the skin? I’m stealing that. That’s going in a scene one day. I promise to send you the page.
Warmest winds,
MJ Kaye
(still trying to finish a cup of tea before it goes cold)