Because sometimes when a carefully laid plan goes south, you just need to drop all pretenses and lay your cards on the table. Sometimes, those cards happen to be a large, solidly built Imperial with a lot of brawling experience on his claws.

That's what Kel is for. When everything hits the fan and spectacularly backfires, it's Kel's job to make sure everyone gets home safely. Usually by just steamrolling everything in his way. It's a very effective tactic, really it is. Kage doesn't always like to use this (he IS a spymaster after all) but it never hurts to have a good plan B (or E sometimes) for when life hurls unexpected twists into the path. Or smaller dragons who weren't expecting to get trampled.

That too.