Dark Blessing. Flashing Blades, #1

Aell the bladesinger is a former gladiatorial slave. Stiles the lockwhisperer is a streetwise cat burglar. The sword-bearing vagabonds try their best to get by but always embroiled in trouble and chaos. They form a formidable duo with a strong bond of friendship and a sense of duty to the run-down neighborhood they live in. Aell and Stiles become caught up in the machinations of a secret cult and a gang's protection racket while they search the city for kidnapped children and Aell's runaway brother.
They find themselves in over their heads battling fanatical priests, ruthless street toughs, and soulless children as they rescue as many innocents as possible and return the missing brother safely back home.