So I've been running a game for my friends. The problem is I find myself in a place where I don't know what to do next. So here's what's happened so far in the game:

The Long Long Ago:
A female elf mage was part of an adventuring group that worked to stop a vampire who was hiding in the arctic wastes to the north. The vampire foe was defeated but during the final assault she was separated from the rest of the group. She thought her companions lost, and vice-versa. As she attempted to make her way back to civilization but she was captured by the last remaining minions of the vampire. (My undead tend to hang out in the arctic where its dark a lot) She was captured, tortured, and eventually turned into a vampire too. She stayed in the arctic wastes for a long time. Eventually a city of undead grew up around the former location of her vampire foe. She lived there for hundreds of years in sorrow and grief; her sanity slowly slipping away.

The Not Quite So Long Ago:
The vampire elf (I should really name her....) learned that her husband, and fellow member of her old adventuring company, is in fact still alive! However, while undeath has given her unnaturally long life he is dying of old age and will soon pass into the after life. She decides that she wants to see him one more time before he dies. However, the natural defenses of the elven forests will prevent her from approaching the city and only a powerful spell will allow her access. She discovers that there are four bloodstones throughout the world. Anyone killed on these bloodstones has their soul trapped inside which can then be used to cast very powerful arcane spells. She begins to organize mortal followers to try and locate these stones.

The Recent Past:
The first bloodstone is discovered beneath the orc village Black Rock. Her minions convince the chief of the village to excavate it and sacrifice any prisoners and even his own warriors on it. The nearby town of Tristram sends a group of adventurers (The PCs) to investigate the recent orc activity. They discover the complex that contains the bloodstone, slay the orc chief and the cultist that had corrupted him; stopping the sacrifices.

The servants of the elf launch a two prong attack shortly afterward. One prong attacks the the town of Tristram, intercepting the mayor's request for aid from the Collegium of Magick and War in the Old Capital. This attack is merely a distraction. The true intent is the second prong. A large contingent of cultists and the vampire elf attack the guards at the orc village. Despite a valiant defense, the guards are routed and the elf descends into the complex. Using a combination of earth elementals and a few trolls she is able to excavate and then magically shrink the bloodstone and take it with her back to the arctic wastes.

The mayor fearing that the roads are being watched for any of his runners, asks the PCs to contact the headmaster of the Collegium of War and Magick. They set off on the two week journey and had a minor encounter with one PC's evil brother.

Next Session:
So I'm thinking they're going to get to the collegium next session. The problem I have is "What then?" They are going to inform the head of the collegium that the bloodstone has been found and taken. What does the party do then? How do they discover more of her plot to use the stone? Also, I need a convenient excuse as to why this NPC with many levels on the party doesn't take care of it himself. I'm thinking that he will try to find the bloodstone for them but will suffer some sort magical backlash. Spells that guard the stone from scrying and divination or the such. Something that may leave him, at the moment, incapacitated but will give the PCs some direction on what to do or where to go.

What are your thoughts oh great members of RAFO?

PS: Thanks to this community for letting me bounce ideas off of them so much.