Sadly, I didn't get here before this was done (though the poll was still showing open). I would have gone for Deserea for a few reasons. First, I think Nell would have arrived slightly overconfident, and also as the party doing the traveling would not have been as well rested as her rival. Furthermore, she wouldn't have been used to the stifling heat and humidity of the environment, whereas her rival would thrive in it. Add in the support of the home crowd and I believe that Nell could have been worn down enough in the last stages of the fight that she could have been overcome. That would have also opened up a great opportunity for a rematch, this time on Nell's turf.
In any case, thanks for the well done story. Much appreciated.
-JM