The second child born to Sir Wendell Lohstren and Lady Catherine Lohstren nee Sollinger, Xander Marius Lohstren was seen by his older sister as the favoured child. Borne only a scantly over a year after his sister, he was made to feel that his parents always wanted a boy more than a girl. While Tamara was showered and pampered and brought up to be marriage bait, he was expected to seek and earn the hand of a beautiful and landed lady himself. And while Xander would tease Tamara mercilously, he was also her staunchest defender. The young Xander was trained from an early age to assist with the horses and in the finer points of House Lohstren. The pride of the Lohstren family is their mounts, and for Xander, it was no different. He was taught as a budding youth that a good Lohstren horse from the proper stable was worth more than some noble men and women.
At the age of ten, Xander was introduced to the fourty-eight year old Lord Sir Mihovil Sollinger. The Uncle of his mother, Mihovil took his grand nephew in as his squire at the age of eleven. At his age, Mihovil told more stories of combat and glory than showing him combat. The training that Xander recieved was more along the lines of protocols and etiquette, and the finer points of putting on a show. Furthermore, Mihovil also introduced his grand nephew to the art of Hawking. Xander took to hawking as easily as he did to horsemanship - he loved the freedom that the birds represented, and perhaps understood their plight - to spend so much time wild and free - just to have it return to its master.
Xander was sixteen when he learned of his sister's betrothal. While the two siblings had always known that this was the most probably outcome, Xander had assumed that his sister would be older before she was given away. He was not a fan of her chosen mate, even if he was a member of the ruling House. In Xander's mind, Sir Timothy was not quite good enough for his older sister. But in time, he learned that during Tamara's marriage that she had fallen in love with her husband, and Xander was elated that Tamara would be providing him with a niece or a nephew to spoil. When he learned that Timothy had died and Tamara had miscarried, Xander travelled to the Summer Citadel to be at her side. It is what set aside Xander's rise to Knighthood, as the 21 year old squire paid attention to his sister as she mourned. But eventually, Tamara pushed Xander to return to his path - to get back in the graces of their family.
Pushed back out of the nest, Xander did the only thing he could to hide his grief for his sister. After a year, he made the rank of Knight at the age of 21. He threw everything he had into putting on a good show. To be a good guard and tournament knight. He knew because of his training with Sir Mihovil that he would not be a combat knight, but he would be able to be the face of House Taniford when out in the circuit of Tournaments and meetings. To stand at the side of the pretty diplomat and be her arm candy as needed. He was outfitted with the best equipment. A strong and handsome stallion, the best of the Lohstren Horses was his to ride and command. He had well-polished armor, and a good sword. But it was a sword that has never tasted blood. It was always used to battle in tournaments. He has spent his days in relative luxury and pampered days of wine and dance. He however, has kept his affairs with women quiet and usually professsional, as he refuses to bring dishonour on himself or his home out of fear of losing his place - or a potential advantageous match for him.
